Family of woman killed by partner ‘in limbo’ waiting for inquest into death

The family is waiting for a domestic homicide review to be completed by the Home Office

The sister of a woman killed by her partner said she “feels in limbo”, as the family awaits a homicide review to be completed in order for her inquest to go ahead. Simone Smith, 35, was found dead at her flat in Saunders Close, Huntingdon, on February 26, 2025.

Simone was killed by her partner Cody Parker, who was found dead the following day in a toilet cubicle at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. An inquest on Thursday (April 23) found that Mr Parker died by suicide.

Simone’s sister Karina, who asked to use only her first name, was at Mr Parker’s inquest, alongside her partner and a representative from Peterborough Women’s Aid. While the coroners’ court could only deal with Cody’s death, the court heard about events leading up to him being found, including Simone’s death.

Simone’s inquest cannot be held until the Home Office signs off a Domestic Homicide Review. Speaking after the inquest, Karina said she feels the delay is “silencing Simone”. She added: “Simone died over a year ago, and we are still waiting for her inquest. The closure will look different once that is done.

“We still feel no closure, and we are still in limbo.” Due to the delay of the homicide review, Karina added that she believes it could be “over a year”, before the inquest into Simone’s death is held.

A Home Office spokesperson told CambridgeshireLive that the review is “due to be sent out imminently” and it should be expected in the “next few months”.

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