Lord of the Dance
Ann Maguire died from 'haemorrhage' when stabbed in the neck, inquest hears
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Ann Maguire died from 'haemorrhage' when stabbed in the neck, inquest hears

MURDERED teacher Ann Maguire died after a stab wound to her neck severed her jugular vein, an inquest has heard.

The mother-of-two was attacked last month in front of her pupils at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, where she had taught for 40 years.

Leeds Coroner’s Court heard that the 61-year-old died from “shock and haemorrhage” after her jugular vein was severed.

Det Ch Insp Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, told the inquest Mrs Maguire suffered several stab wounds but one to her neck left her with the fatal injury.

He said emergency services were called at 11:49 and were directed to the top floor modern languages department.

Paramedics initially attended the teacher, who was seriously injured.

"Mrs Maguire was taken by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency treatment,” DCI Wallen added.

"Sadly, she did not survive her injuries and her death was pronounced at 1.10pm."

A Home Office pathologist conducted a post-mortem on the same day at Pinderfields Hospital, in Wakefield, and established “shock and haemorrhage” as the cause of death, he said.

The officer explained: "Although there were a number of stab wounds, a stab wound to her neck had severed her jugular vein and was the fatal injury.”

Mrs Maguire, whose parents were from Co. Mayo, had taught Religious Studies and Spanish at Corpus Christi for over 40 years and was due to retire in September.

She was survived by her husband Dom, who is originally from Co. Cavan, and their two daughters.

Tributes have continued to flood in from current and former pupils, many of whom are Irish or have Irish roots, with Corpus Christi head teacher Steve Mort saying she was the “mother of the school”.

DCI Wallen said police had no further need to retain Mrs Maguire’s body and that it could be released to her family for funeral arrangements to be made.

The inquest was adjourned by Leeds coroner David Hinchliff pending criminal proceedings.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with Mrs Maguire’s murder. He has been remanded in custody and is due to go on trial later this year.