The inquest heard that Paul Smith, 40, suspected of starting a fatal arson in St Helens last July, was found dead in a wheelie bin seven days after the blaze. Toxicology showed he had taken heroin, a substantial amount of cocaine and multiple sedatives; the cause of death was recorded as mixed drug toxicity. The coroner said drowning could not be proved or excluded, but police believe the death was not the result of criminality. Earlier convictions saw three people jailed for the manslaughter of Sheila Jackson, 83, and Eric Greener, 77.
Suspect In Fatal St Helens Arson Found Dead In Wheelie Bin, Inquest Hears
Paul Smith's body was discovered seven days after the arson attack in a wheelie bin [Merseyside Police]
A man suspected of starting an arson attack that killed an elderly couple in St Helens was found dead in a wheelie bin a week after the blaze, an inquest at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool has heard.
Paul Smith, 40, known locally as "Smigger", is believed to have started the fire at the home of Sheila Jackson, 83, and her partner Eric Greener, 77, last July. Both victims were rescued from the property but later died in hospital from burns and smoke inhalation.
The court heard that Smith's body was discovered seven days after the attack in a wheelie bin at the rear of derelict properties on Thirlmere Road. Evidence presented at the inquest indicated his body had been moved to the bin after he was found unconscious in a bath at a Coniston Street property and later died.
Senior coroner for Liverpool, Andre Rebello, said police were contacted on 22 July by a man who reported that two days earlier someone had either drowned or overdosed in a bath. Police identified the deceased as Paul Joseph Smith, who had last spoken to his family on 19 July and had been reported missing on 21 July.
"Merseyside Police were deployed and located a male, deceased, in a wheelie bin at the rear of derelict properties on Thirlmere Road," the coroner said.
Home Office pathologist Dr Matthew Lyall reported toxicology showing Smith had taken heroin close to the time of death, along with a "relatively large amount of cocaine" and several sedative drugs. Dr Lyall said drowning could neither be proved nor excluded and added that pathological findings could not determine whether the deceased had been held under water by a third party. The cause of death was recorded as mixed drug toxicity.
Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson were "the loveliest, kindest, funniest, caring, most beautiful people to ever exist", their families said [Merseyside Police]
The hearing was told police were satisfied the death was not caused by criminality, though criminal proceedings were understood to be ongoing in relation to the disposal of the body.
Earlier Convictions And Family Statement
Earlier this year, Kevin Weetman, 34, Kylie Maynard, 37, and Lee Owens, 46, were convicted of manslaughter in relation to the deaths of Jackson and Greener. The trial heard Smith had travelled with Owens to an address in South John Street shortly after 12:30 BST on 15 July, and that the intended target of the attack was George Jackson, Sheila's son, following a dispute over selling drugs.
Weetman was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for planning the attack. Maynard was sentenced to 23 years and Owens to 13 years and six months.
In a joint statement after sentencing, the families described Sheila Jackson and Eric Greener as "the loveliest, kindest, funniest, caring, most beautiful people to ever exist," saying they were "the life and soul of the party" and "the glue that held us all together."
The inquest continues to examine the circumstances of Smith's death, while criminal inquiries relating to the removal and disposal of his body remain ongoing.
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