The final moments of a mother and three children who were killed last month at a sleepover are said to have suffered from a “violent act”.
An inquest into the deaths of Terri Harris, her two children and their friend opened today, however, it was immediately suspended after one day of hearing until the criminal proceedings have concluded.
Last week the man who stands accused of killing them, Damien Bendall, was given a trial date for next year.
The 35-year-old mum was found dead along with John John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, and Connie Gent, 11.
At Chesterfield Coroners Court in Derbyshire, Detective Inspector Graham Prince, told the judge that officers were called to 54 Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh on September 19, after receiving a call from Dorset Police about a concern for safety.
He said that a relative had “indicated to Dorset Police” that Bendall had suffered stab wounds and Derbyshire Constabulary were then alerted so that they could attend the house in Killamarsh.
The court heard that officers from Derbyshire Constabulary were met at the house in Chandos Crescent by Bendall, according to Yorkshire Live.
Officers then entered the property and found the bodies of Terri Harris, John Paul Bennett, Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent.
DI Prince told the court: “A short time later paramedics arrived at the scene, entered the address and confirmed that all four occupants were deceased.”
The court heard that Bendall was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries, before being taken to the police station where he was held for a number of days before being formally charged with murder.
Area coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, Peter Nieto, opened the inquest into the deaths of Terri Harris and her children, John Paul Bennett and Lacey Bennett, before opening a second inquest into the death of Connie Gent.
Mr Nieto said that initial findings from a pathologist indicate that Terri Harris, John Paul Bennett, Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent all died as a result of a “violent act”, and DI Prince confirmed this.
The court heard that Connie Gent, a friend of Lacey Bennett, had arrived at 54 Chandos Crescent on Friday September 17 to “stop off with Lacey and her family”, for a sleepover.
Suspending the inquest into the deaths of Terri Harris, John Paul Bennett and Lacey Bennett, Mr Nieto said that these were “extremely tragic events”, he added: “Obviously everybody’s thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”
Suspending the inquest into the death of Connie Gent, Mr Nieto said that his thoughts are with her family, following the “devastating circumstances” of her death.
The court heard that all four victims were formally identified by their fathers.
The inquests have now been suspended pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
