Tia Sharp inquest: body of schoolgirl formally identified

THE inquest into the death of schoolgirl Tia Sharp opened today where it was confirmed that her body has been formally identified.

• Post mortem continues into Tia Sharp’s death with cause of death yet to be found

• 5 minute hearing confirms body of Tia Sharp formally identified

Tia’s body was discovered at her grandmother Christine Sharp’s home in New Addington, south London, last Friday, more than a week after she was reported missing.

Detective Sergeant Eric Sword, of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime operations unit based at Sutton, told the inquest that a post-mortem examination is still being carried out by a pathologist and is due to resume later today.

Asked by Coroner Roy Palmer if the body has now been formally identified, Mr Sword said: “From the checks that we have been able to carry out, yes.”

“And that body is that of Tia Sharp?” the coroner asked.

“That is correct,” he replied.

The coroner asked that this be carried out as soon as possible, if it is necessary, so that Tia’s body can be released to her family.

The inquest, at South London Coroner’s Court in Croydon, was adjourned until a later date.

Hazell, 37, from New Addington, is charged with murdering the schoolgirl between August 2 and 11.

He appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link from Belmarsh prison in south east London yesterday, and was remanded in custody to appear for a plea and case management hearing at the same court on November 19.

A provisional trial date was set for January 21 next year.