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Family hope inquest will answer questions over death of Liverpool University student

Ceara Thacker died in May 2018 Photo: Family

The family of a university student whose body was found in her halls of residence after friends raised the alarm are hoping an inquest will provide them with answers regarding her sudden death.

Ceara Thacker, a first year philosophy student at the University of Liverpool, was found dead in May 2018. She was 19-year-old and originally from Bradford.

An inquest examining the events leading up to Ceara’s death is now to take place at Liverpool Coroner’s Court before Area Coroner Anita Bhardwaj.

Agencies including the University of Liverpool and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which had contact with Ceara before her death, will be represented at the inquest.

Ceara with her father Iain

“Ceara was such a fun-loving and infectious person who had the kindest smile.

“She was such an intelligent and popular person and we are all absolutely devastated that she is no longer with us.

“When she left to go to university she seemed to be excited to be starting a new chapter in her life. We cannot believe that just a few months later she had died.

“It is so difficult to try and put into the words the effect her death has had on our family. We miss her every day.

“We know that the inquest is going to be a distressing time but our family needs to know what happened to our girl when she was away from home.”

– Iain Thacker, Ceara's father

Ceara started a philosophy degree at the University of Liverpool - her first choice university – in September 2017. She died on 11 May, 2018.

Ceara Thacker

“Ceara’s death has been a tragedy for her family and friends.

“The family now hope that a thorough investigation in the coroner’s court can at least provide them with answers to the many questions they have about what happened in the lead up to her death

“It is vitally important that any lessons which can be identified from Ceara’s death are learned and implemented without delay.”

– Gus Silverman, a public law and human rights lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family
Ceara Thacker

“Inquests perform a vital function in examining and exposing any gaps in the systems intended to keep people safe. As another university year begins and thousands of young people leave home, the urgency of addressing any such gaps is clear.”

– Selen Cavcav, Senior Caseworker at the charity INQUEST

The inquest is due to start on Monday, 16 September, and is scheduled to last for six days.