Inquest of girl, 12, must wait for police – coroner

Police must investigate data from seized electronic devices before the inquest of a 12-year-old girl can take place, a coroner has said.

Amelia Bath was found dead at her home in the village of Walberton on 6 March, according to a pre-inquest review held at West Sussex Coroner's Court in Horsham on Wednesday.

Senior coroner Penelope Schofield said that information had been downloaded from a mobile phone and iPad by officers and proceedings would "have to wait for them to finish their work".

She also thanked the girl's parents, Marie and Steve Bath, for supporting the process and offered them her "sincere condolences".

A GoFundMe page set up by the 12-year-old's auntie, Lisa Marsh, has raised nearly £17,000 to help with funeral costs, as well as enabling the family to make a donation in her memory to children's hospice, Chestnut Tree House.

Marsh paid tribute to her "beautiful niece" on the fundraising page, describing her as a "bright, funny, kind-hearted and loving girl who filled every room with warmth and laughter".

"She had the most beautiful soul and so much life ahead of her," Marsh added.

"The silence she has left behind is unbearable, and the hole in our hearts will never truly heal."

A one-day inquest has been set for 2 October.

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