WORCESTERSHIRE'S Senior Coroner has said Brenda Venables inquest has been suspended pending the outcome of her husband's trial.
The 48-year-old's remains were found in a septic tank 37 years after she disappeared. David Venables is accused of killing his wife who was reported missing in 1982 from the couple’s then home in Bestmans Lane, Kempsey.
Mrs Venables inquest had been listed to be heard in Stourport on Thursday, January 27, but was taken off Worcestershire Coroners Service list of inquests.
After contacting the service for information, the senior coroner David Reid provided this statement: "The inquest has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings against Mrs Venables' husband.
"A decision about whether or not to resume the inquest will be taken at the conclusion of those proceedings."
West Mercia Police launched a murder investigation in 2019 after human remains were found at an address in Kempsey on July 12, 2019.
Venables, 88, of Elgar Drive, Kempsey, appeared at Worcester Crown Court in September and denied a single charge alleging that he murdered his wife “on a day between May 2 and May 5 1982”.
READ MORE: David Venables denies killing wife Brenda whose body was found in Kempsey septic tank
Venables was told by the Recorder of Worcester, Judge James Burbidge QC, that he will face a trial on June 7 this year.
Venables was given bail subject to a condition of residence and instructions not to apply for a passport or to contact prosecution witnesses.
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