INQUEST proceedings surrounding the death of a woman that sparked a murder investigation have been suspended further.

A request had been made by a coroner officer to adjourn the inquest of Chintzia McIntyre, which was granted.

Warrington Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday how Ms McIntyre died aged 48 outside her Phoenix Place home in Chapelford on August 29 last year.

The death was referred to the coronial service that same day.

At 9.40am, Cheshire Police was called to the address following reports of a ‘domestic incident’, and officers and paramedics found that a woman had been the subject of what appeared to be a ‘serious assault’, the court heard.

Despite the best efforts of those present, Ms McIntyre died at the scene, and police launched a murder investigation.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the incident, with now 18-year-old Frederico Canuzo – the deceased’s son – later charged.

A coronial investigation was opened in September 2023 due to the cause of death being given as ‘unnatural’.

Inquest proceedings were suspended due to criminal charges being ongoing – and this continues to be the case.

A criminal court trial date was provisionally set for January 29 this year, although he is yet to enter a plea to the charge, and this was pushed back further to June 24.

However, in April, this trial date was vacated, with a plea and trial preparation hearing now listed for November 29, with the defendant still in custody.

Police at the scene on Phoenix Place in Chapelford on the day of Ms McIntyres death

Police at the scene on Phoenix Place in Chapelford on the day of Ms McIntyre's death

A trial, fitness to plead or finding of fact hearing has been fixed for January 27 next year, with an estimate of three to four days.

At Warrington Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, a coronial case review was sought by the coroner officer for January 29, 2025, with coronial proceedings further adjourned by Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire.

She said: “This case was opened in 2023. It was investigated by the police and is being prosecuted by the police, with the process ongoing.

“It is expected that the criminal case will resume on November 29.

“We will further suspend our case to January 29, 2025, to see how far the police and criminal courts get with those proceedings.”

Residents reported seeing a huge police presence in the Phoenix Place vicinity on the morning of the incident, with at least seven police cars and vans spotted.

The police helicopter was spotted circling the area, while an air ambulance was also believed to have been dispatched.

A blue and yellow forensics tent was soon erected at the scene, with paramedics attending by road ambulance to assist.

People living in the area reported police knocking on doors and visiting businesses asking residents for statements and doorbell camera footage.

Cheshire Police wishes to remind readers that legal proceedings are now active, and it is crucial that people avoid sharing details which could identify the defendant or speculate online about this case, as it could prejudice the legal process.