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Exhumed bodies checked for drugs Exhumed bodies checked for drugs
(about 2 hours later)
Bodies being exhumed as part of a major investigation into seven deaths at a care home will be checked for signs of drugs, a detective has said.Bodies being exhumed as part of a major investigation into seven deaths at a care home will be checked for signs of drugs, a detective has said.
The body of Nellie "Mary" Pickford is the first of three to be exhumed. She died aged 89 at the Parkfields care home in Butleigh, Somerset.The body of Nellie "Mary" Pickford is the first of three to be exhumed. She died aged 89 at the Parkfields care home in Butleigh, Somerset.
Det Supt Trevor Simpson, said: "We are checking for drugs, but cannot go into details for operational reasons."Det Supt Trevor Simpson, said: "We are checking for drugs, but cannot go into details for operational reasons."
Parkfields was closed in May after Lucy Cox died aged 97 on New Year's Day.Parkfields was closed in May after Lucy Cox died aged 97 on New Year's Day.
Two people arrested in connection with this death were later released on police bail to report to officers in September.Two people arrested in connection with this death were later released on police bail to report to officers in September.
Nurse Rachel Baker, 45, who was listed as the home manager, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.Nurse Rachel Baker, 45, who was listed as the home manager, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.
Her 48-year-old husband Leigh Baker, a chef at the home, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.Her 48-year-old husband Leigh Baker, a chef at the home, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.
Hopefully, within three days the family can conduct a private burial Det Supt Trevor Simpson
The Avon and Somerset Police investigation began after an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in January.The Avon and Somerset Police investigation began after an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in January.
Hopefully, within three days the family can conduct a private burial Det Supt Trevor Simpson
A CSCI spokesman said: "We carried out an unannounced inspection at the home... and found that standards had deteriorated significantly since the previous inspection in June 2006."A CSCI spokesman said: "We carried out an unannounced inspection at the home... and found that standards had deteriorated significantly since the previous inspection in June 2006."
An emergency closure notice was issued after standards failed to improve, the CSCI said.An emergency closure notice was issued after standards failed to improve, the CSCI said.
Det Supt Simpson added: "The purpose of the exhumation is to conduct a post-mortem, looking for the cause of death and achieving samples for analysis.Det Supt Simpson added: "The purpose of the exhumation is to conduct a post-mortem, looking for the cause of death and achieving samples for analysis.
"Hopefully, then within three days the family can conduct a private burial.""Hopefully, then within three days the family can conduct a private burial."
Ms Pickford's body will be exhumed from its resting place at Glastonbury Cemetery later on Tuesday.Ms Pickford's body will be exhumed from its resting place at Glastonbury Cemetery later on Tuesday.