A WOMAN from Rhyl whose death prompted a murder investigation died after suffering injuries to her head, face and neck, an inquest opening heard.

Catherine Flynn, of Cefndy Road, died aged 69 on Friday, October 25 following an incident at her home address the previous evening.

The inquest into Ms Flynn’s death opened at County Hall, Ruthin this afternoon (November 6).

During the opening, it was heard that Ms Flynn, born in Liverpool and a bartender by occupation, was pronounced deceased at 9.38pm on October 25 at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers, in undertaking Ms Flynn’s post-mortem examination, found that she had suffered severe blunt force head, face and neck injuries.

John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales (East and Central), suspended the inquest into Ms Flynn’s death, pending the outcome of criminal inquiries.

*Dean Mears, 33, of Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay has been charged with murdering Ms Flynn.

His plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for February 7, 2025, with a trial start date set for April 29 should he plead not guilty.

Mears, who is also charged with aggravated burglary, is remanded in custody.

A 28-year-old Rhyl man, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, has been given conditional bail.