Windmill Hill woman found in state of 'mummification'

Amanda Jane Warburton was found dead at her home in Windmill Hill on September 17, age 52.

At this point, the New Zealand native had not had any contact with her family for around seven months.

During an inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (October 16), it was heard that Ms Warburton had ‘become a loner’ following the death of her parents.

However, her sister drove past her flat every day to keep an eye on her, noting that she was aware her sister suffered with her mental health.

Around two weeks before Ms Warburton’s body was discovered the sister noticed her windows were closed.

When the sister visited Ms Warbuton’s home she noticed a ‘foul smell’ before calling the police.

An inquest was held at Cheshire Coroner's Court on October 16 (Image: Newsquest)

Officers say the property on Norton Hill was ‘sparsely furnished’, with hardly any food and a pile of mail built up behind the door.

Two newspapers dated February 18 were found on the coffee table, along with milk in the fridge with an expiry of February 19.

There was also a sticker on the front door, requesting she contact the housing association.

Meanwhile, neighbours said they had not seen Ms Warburton for around 12 months and had noticed a ‘strange smell’ coming from the property recently.

Police described Ms Warburton’s body as being ‘extremely decomposed, to the point of being mummified’.

As such, it is suspected that she had passed away around seven months before being discovered.

However, police say there were no suspicious circumstances.

Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish said that Ms Warburton’s cause of death was ‘unascertained due to severe decomposition and mummification’.

As such, she ruled an open conclusion, as there is ‘no idea’ of the circumstances leading to her death.