Understand
Angela Lloyd's family welcome inquest into police contact with her killer
Overview
The family of 56-year-old Angela Lloyd, who was stabbed to death in her Newton Aycliffe home by Patricia Hewitt in August 2025, have welcomed a decision by County Durham coroner Jeremy Chipperfield to hold a full inquest. Hewitt had been given a suspended sentence for a random attack earlier on the day of the murder and was later given an indefinite hospital detention order for manslaughter with diminished responsibility. The inquest will examine why police community support officers allowed Hewitt to walk free shortly before the attack despite concerns over her behaviour and a shoplifting incident, as well as why a care service did not immediately respond to emergency calls during the stabbing.
Key points
- Angela Lloyd, 56, was stabbed to death in her home by Patricia Hewitt on 13 August 2025.
- Hewitt had received a suspended sentence for a random attack earlier on the day of the murder and was later sentenced to an indefinite hospital detention order for manslaughter.
- County Durham coroner Jeremy Chipperfield ruled there is sufficient reason to hold a full inquest to explore issues not fully covered by the criminal trial.
- The victim's family want answers on why police community support officers did not detain Hewitt after she stole wine and displayed erratic behaviour shortly before the attack.
- The family also raised questions about why care service Care Connect failed to send immediate help after receiving emergency calls during the stabbing.
- A pre-inquest review is scheduled to take place in Crook on 6 November.