Mum, 31, ‘left injured on kitchen floor by partner for 33 hours before she died after “unexplained” fall’
A MUM was left injured on the floor by her partner for 33 hours before she died following an “unexplained” fall, an inquest heard.
Amy Louise Harper, 31, had rowed with Matthew Cowley, who then heard a “big bang”, when he returned home from work.
He turned around to find the hairdresser lying on her back on the kitchen floor at their home in Huddersfield.
An inquest heard Matthew was unable to rouse Amy but he claimed she was breathing, Yorkshire Live reports.
He later placed a blanket over the mum, who was intoxicated, and left her on the floor while he went to bed.
Matthew claimed when he came down the following morning, Amy was on the floor and she had wet herself, so he cleaned her up and placed her on the sofa.
The hearing was told that 33 hours after the initial fall, she began vomiting and wasn’t breathing so Matthew called 999.
Medics confirmed Amy had died from head injuries, with West Yorkshire Police‘s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team launching an investigation into her death.
The court heard officers discovered there was a history of domestic violence and that Matthew had allegedly once pushed his partner down the stairs.
At the time of her death on January 10, 2021, he was under investigation for attacking the mum.
But the inquest was told police did not have any direct evidence of what caused Amy to fall and he was never charged.
Senior coroner Martin Fleming described Matthew’s behaviour as “extremely questionable” – but found earlier medical intervention would not have helped.
He asked if Matthew had pushed Amy, causing him to reply: “Absolutely not.”
He also broke down tears as he explained how he “dragged” her into the living room and put her on the sofa where she was “still snoring”.
Matthew told the hearing he placed his partner of two years into the recovery position but admitted “in hindsight” he should have sought help sooner.
He added: “I wish I could turn the clock back.”
The coroner pointed out Amy had been left on an uncomfortable kitchen floor, which she remained on the next morning.
He asked: “Should that have been a red flag?”
“In hindsight, yes”, Matthew responded.
The coroner said there were “multiple opportunities to do the right thing” as he paid tribute to the “beautiful soul” mum.
He also found it was “more likely than not” the head injury was caused by a fall in the kitchen and that earlier medical attention would not have changed the outcome.
Ruling a narrative verdict, Mr Fleming told Matthew: “It seems to me you have come here and done what you can to tell the truth.”
