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A maintenance worker discovered the body of 31-year-old Laura Marshall in an overflowing bath at her residence on Victoria Street in April 2016, according to details revealed during a recent inquest. The woman’s body exhibited bruising, and the discovery was made when the worker was responding to a complaint about a leak affecting the block of flats where she lived. Upon arriving at her flat, the maintenance man found the front door lock was loose and managed to force it open after hearing no response to his calls.
Inside the flat, the maintenance worker found the hallway floor mat soaked with water, and the bathroom door handle lying on the floor, the spindle missing from the lock. After retrieving a screwdriver from his van, he was able to open the bathroom door slightly, where he saw Laura Marshall lying face down in the bath, unclothed, with visible bruises on her shoulder. The taps were still running, and damage was evident throughout the bathroom, including a smashed sink and blood on the floor. He immediately contacted the police and was permitted to turn off the water to prevent further flooding.
The inquest also heard testimony from a coroner’s lawyer who confirmed that Laura had been living with Gary O’Dowd at the property for several years and mentioned that multiple complaints of domestic violence had been made against him. A detective sergeant, one of the first PSNI officers on the scene, described the bathroom as showing clear signs of violence. He observed a circular bruise on Laura’s forehead, bruising on her arm, and blood congealed above the waterline in the bath. The officer concluded that the death appeared suspicious and bore the “hallmarks of a domestic violence-related murder,” suggesting that the victim had sought sanctuary in the bathroom before the violent attack culminated in drowning.
Further forensic evidence was presented by a specialist who detailed damage to both the bathroom door and doorframe, confirming that the bathroom door could be locked from the outside. The inquest continues, with proceedings expected to last until at least the end of next week. Earlier, a man had been arrested and charged with Laura’s murder but consistently denied involvement; the charges against him were eventually dropped two years later following a decision by the Public Prosecution Service
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