Court hears mother found under floorboards died mystery death

A MUM-OF-FOUR whose body was found under the floor of her home had died a mystery death, a murder trial has heard.

Days lying in the basement of the West Lothian house left doctors unable to find any potentially fatal injuries or signs of disease, the High Court in Edinburgh was told today.

"Decomposition had made any interpretation of our findings very difficult," said forensic pathologist Dr Ralph BouHaidar.

Two post mortems were carried out after the remains of Carol Jarvis, 47, were found on September 16 2009.

Experts also examined tissue samples under a microscope but were unable to come up with any answers.

The doctor said that he and his pathologist colleague found one tiny feature which led them to issue a death certificate giving the cause of death as "presumed compression of the neck pending further investigation."

But later expert opinion had ruled that out and the medical cause of death was amended to "unascertained."

Dr BouHaidar - the last witness to be called by the Crown - told advocate depute Gary Allan QC, prosecuting: "We are unable to offer a scientifically backed-up opinion as to how she died."

The trial has heard how Mrs Jarvis of Balbardie Crescent, Bathgate, suffered from a range of medical problems which sometimes left her bed-ridden.

On trial is Rita Heyster, 57, who denies murdering her "by means unknown".

The trial continues.