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Inquest Ordered After Woman Killed by Erratic Offender
6 Oct
Summary
- Woman fatally stabbed by stranger hours after court release.
- Killer was spoken to by police minutes before attack.
- Family welcomes inquest into why police let offender go.
An inquest has been ordered to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing of Angela Lloyd by Patricia Hewitt. Ms. Lloyd was killed in her home on August 13, 2025, by Hewitt, who was suffering from psychosis. Hewitt admitted to diminished responsibility manslaughter and received an indefinite hospital detention order.
Hewitt had been spoken to by police community support officers just minutes before the attack, after multiple people reported her erratic behavior and shoplifting. Earlier on the same day, she had been released from Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court with a suspended sentence for a previous assault.
The family of Angela Lloyd has welcomed the decision for an inquest. They seek to understand why police allowed Hewitt, who was exhibiting concerning behavior, to be free shortly before she committed the fatal stabbing. Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield acknowledged the important issues raised by the family that warranted the investigation.
