Capel St Mary antique dealer Miriam Rhodes died of hypothermia and alcohol related condition

An antique dealer was found dead at the bottom of her stairs after drinking half a bottle of whiskey, an inquest heard.

Miriam Rhodes, 88, hadn’t been seen for five days when her body was found dressed in a nightgown at her remote cottage on February 17, 2020.

A near-empty glass of whiskey was at the top of the stairs and the widow had suffered bruising and an “unusual” injury of a dislocated elbow.

Detectives launched a murder investigation following Ms Rhodes’ unexpected death and arrested a 43-year-old man who was released without charge. Suffolk Police have confirmed the case is now closed.

Today, a coroner ruled that Rhodes died of hypothermia and an alcohol-related condition.

In a heated inquest, friends accused the last person to see Ms Rhodes alive of lying as he gave evidence at Suffolk Coroners’ Court.

Stephen Friend went to Rhodes’ home in Capel St Mary, Suffolk at around 9pm on February 12 to share a whole bottle of whiskey with her before leaving at 11pm, the inquest heard.

He said that he normally visited her “a couple of times a week” and that she was in her nightgown when she let him in.

Friend, a factory operative, described Rhodes as “one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met in my life” and a “forthright” lady who “would have no hesitation to say get out of my shop or get out of my cottage”.

James Dyer, a friend of Rhodes, heckled: “Did she say this to you then?”

When Friend refused to answer, Dyer added: “I wonder why!”

He went on: “When police and ambulance arrived there was a book about assisted suicide. How did that get there Mr Friend?”

Coroner Nigel Parsley refused to allow the question to be answered, stating it was not relevant to the hearing.

Dyer, who is a co-executor of Rhodes’ will with a local solicitor, said that Rhodes would not usually drink half a bottle of whiskey, as stated by Friend.

Susie Dixon, a friend of Rhodes, said to Friend: “I don’t believe it. I don’t believe a word you say.”

Giving his evidence, Dyer said that he found a set of keys to Rhodes’ house on a muddy footpath near her home the day after she died.

Daisie Rushton, a paramedic who confirmed Rhodes’ death, said she was told that the deceased hadn’t been seen for five days prior to her death.

A GP report presented by Dr Victoria Okpiabhele stated that Rhodes had no significant medical history but did fracture her ankle in 2017 after falling down the stairs.

She noted that Rhodes drank over the recommended amount for her age - around 30 units per week - but was “non-compliant with treatment”.

Dr Nat Carey, a forensic pathologist, said there were no signs of assault and that she had died due to hypothermia and alcoholic ketoacidosis - a condition linked to consuming large quantities of alcohol.

He said that no alcohol was detected in Rhodes’ system, suggesting she had not consumed any within the previous 24 hours.

He said: “She had a number of bruises on her limbs.

“She had bruising to the forehead and black eyes, consistent with hitting the ground.

“She also had an unusual injury, a dislocation of her left elbow which would take some force.”

He later added: “It could be [caused by] a solid fall with the arm outstretched. It would perhaps be easier to occur in an elderly woman than an average person.”

Coroner Nigel Parsley concluded: “Miriam Isobelle Rhodes died from hypothermia in conjunction with alcoholic ketoacidosis after consuming a significant amount of alcohol prior to her death on February 17, 2020.”

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