Understand
Laura Marshall inquest hears former partner tortured her physically and mentally
Overview
An inquest into the 2016 death of Laura Marshall, whose body was found in an overflowing bath in Lurgan, has heard testimony from her cousin detailing severe physical and mental abuse by her former partner, Gary O'Dowd. O'Dowd had previously been charged with her murder in 2016, but the case was dropped two years later.
Key points
- Laura Marshall's body was discovered in an overflowing bath at her home in Lurgan in April 2016.
- Her cousin, Deirdre Toman, told the inquest that Marshall was regularly beaten and 'tortured' physically and mentally by her partner, Gary O'Dowd.
- Toman stated that Marshall spent weeks receiving hospital treatment for severe burns in 2015, later admitting O'Dowd threw boiling water at her.
- Gary O'Dowd was arrested and charged with Marshall's murder in 2016, but the charges were dropped by the Public Prosecution Service two years later.