Inquest opens into death of 22-year-old woman from Runcorn

Lauren Carmichael, from Runcorn, was found dead at Town Park on August 5.

She had been reported missing by her family the day before.

On Wednesday, Cheshire Coroner’s Court formally opened an inquest into the former Priestley College student’s death.

Here, it was heard that a call was made to emergency services on the evening of August 5 following the discovery of a woman’s body in woodland near Stockham Lane.

It was sadly confirmed to be Lauren. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

Due to there being an unnatural cause of death, senior coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish set an inquest date for February next year.

At the time of her death, a spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “At 8.35pm on Saturday, August 5, police were called to reports of a woman’s body being found in woodland near Stockham Lane, Runcorn.

“Officers attended the scene and confirmed that the young woman had died.

“She has since been formally identified as a 22-year-old from the Runcorn area. She had been reported missing the previous day by her family.

“Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a case file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Following Lauren’s death, a JustGiving page has been set up to raise funds to give her the ‘best send-off she deserves’.

Hundreds of tributes have been paid on the page, describing Lauren as ‘the kindest person ever’.

“Always making people laugh and smile, always there for a chat,” one tribute says.

Another reads: “Her smile and energy never failed to brighten up the room.”

You can donate here.