Mystery remains over double drowning

Dawn Mullany, 71, from Castle Bytham, and Laurence Mullany-Mills, six, from Ketton, Rutland, were found dead in Holywell Lake, near Stamford, in Lincolnshire, in February.

Post-mortem examinations found both had drowned, but despite police inquiries it is still not known how they came to be in the water, an inquest heard.

Recording a narrative verdict yesterday, coroner Professor Robert Forrest concluded there had been no suspicious circumstances and they had drowned, Lincolnshire Police said.

Laurence’s mother contacted the force around 9.20pm on February 16 after her son failed to return to their home in Ketton.

The six-year-old had gone to stay with his grandmother but was due home earlier that day, the inquest held at Boston Magistrates’ Court heard.

A search was launched after officers found no one home at Mrs Mullany’s house in Castle Bytham. Mrs Mullany’s car was found that evening near to Holywell Lake. Her body was recovered from the water a short time later.

Laurence’s body was found in the water in the early hours of the following day, February 17.

Detective Chief Inspector David Wood said the evidence suggested they had gone to the lake to feed the ducks.

“Our investigations have definitively found that no third party contributed to the death of Mrs Mullany and Laurence, but we are unable to say exactly why or how they both ended up in the water.

“This was an awful, tragic accident and our thoughts are with the family.

“We hope the conclusion of the inquest process enables them, in some sense, to move forward.”

In a statement, the family of the pair said: “We have known for some time what the inquest would and would not be able to tell us.

“We will never exactly know what happened that day, other than a tragic accident that’s taken away two wonderful people and beloved pillars of our family.

“Now we have to continue with the long and difficult journey that is rebuilding our lives with the support of our family and friends and the loving memory of our years spent with Dawn and Laurie.”