Kelly Strange

Ibiza-based DJ and vocalist Santanna Maria Ally, who performed as Santanna Oush, was found unconscious in a tent at Houghton Festival near King's Lynn and pronounced dead at the scene at age 38. Norfolk's coroner heard that the provisional cause of death was hanging; police do not believe the death was suspicious. Ally, a prominent figure in Ibiza's dance-music community and founder of the women-focused OuShe platform, received tributes from fellow artists and venues. The coroner has requested her GP records, and the full inquest is scheduled for December 15, 2026.

An inquest has opened into the death of 86-year-old retired shop worker Marjorie Ann Cooper of East Harling, Norfolk. She died at West Suffolk Hospital on July 14 after a fall that caused significant bleeding, with multiple organ failure listed alongside kidney failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Coroner Maeve Sykes opened the inquest on August 11 and adjourned it for further investigation, with a future hearing expected to examine concerns about Cooper’s care and death.

A two-day inquest into the death of 17-year-old Kye Francis Trehone Jones is scheduled for October 8 and 9, 2026, at Norfolk Coroner’s Court. The hearing is expected to examine his final movements, contact with his girlfriend, the care and safeguards provided at Sycamore House, a previous overdose incident, and concerns about access to his mobile phone. The coroner will also consider alleged drug use at the home, a reported life insurance policy, and reviews conducted by Sycamore House and Suffolk County Council.

An inquest heard that Norfolk street entertainer Antony Brian Maling-Arnold, known as Ant Arnold or Ant E Statik, died by suicide at his Great Yarmouth home on January 7. The 58-year-old had epilepsy, severe hip pain, alcohol-related dementia and a history of heavy drinking, and had previously overdosed on paracetamol. Despite involvement from medical, mental health, social care and police services, assessments shortly before his death did not identify him as an immediate suicide or self-harm risk. Area coroner Maeve Sykes concluded that Arnold intentionally inflicted fatal wounds to his neck and wrists.

The full inquest into Gemma Marjoram’s murder has been postponed after her family argued that crucial evidence remained undisclosed, including mobile-phone messages, police body-worn video and witness statements. Area coroner Yvonne Blake agreed to the adjournment, with the hearing to be relisted. The inquest will examine the events preceding Marjoram’s June 2020 killing, the response to an earlier domestic-abuse incident, the MARAC process and whether police and other agencies took adequate safeguarding measures. Her husband, Michael Cowey, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years, so the inquest will focus on prevention and lessons learned rather than criminal responsibility.

An inquest heard that 26-year-old Charlotte McDonald was found dead in her Great Yarmouth flat on November 19, 2024, after failing to respond to messages. A police investigation and post-mortem found no evidence of third-party involvement or natural disease, although injuries consistent with previous strangulation incidents and the presence of butane canisters raised unanswered questions. Toxicology detected cannabis and low levels of alcohol, while possible butane inhalation and an allergic reaction could not be confirmed. Assistant coroner Maeve Sykes recorded a narrative conclusion that the cause of death could not be ascertained.