Inquest opens in Bradford into stabbing deaths of sisters, aged one and three

Assistant Bradford Coroner Oliver Longstaff today opened an inquest into the deaths of three-year-old Evelyn Lupidi and 16-month-old Jasmine Weaver.

During a brief, five-minute hearing at Bradford Coroner's Court, Mr Longstaff said the deaths of the two sisters arose out of the same set of circumstances.

Coroner's officer Chris Dalby said the two girls, who had latterly lived at Church Lane, Heckmondwike, were both pronounced dead at Bradford Royal Infirmary at about noon on November 17.

Mr Longstaff said the circumstances in which the girls died formed the subject of a criminal investigation.

He said: "I understand an arrest has been made and someone has been charged in relation to these deaths.

Mr Dalby said post-mortem examinations had taken place on both girls and the reports were awaited following further investigations, including histology and toxicology. He said those representing the charged person did not require a second, independent post-mortem.

The court was told Evelyn had been born in Italy on January 27, 2012. Jasmine was born in Huddersfield on June 26, 2014.

Both girls were identified by their grandfather, Peter Weaver.

Mr Longstaff formally released the bodies of the children so funerals could take place. He adjourned the inquest and said it would be resumed as necessary at the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

The children were found at an address in Mint Street, Undercliffe, Bradford. Paramedics contacted police shortly before 11.30am after discovering the critically wounded girls when they responded to a report of an injured child at the address.

Police said the girls had died from multiple stab wounds.

Their mother, Samira Lupidi, 24, has been charged with their murders and a trial date has been set for next year.

Specially-trained police officers have been speaking to the family. It is understood the children had moved to Bradford only a matter of days before.