A ‘bubbly’ mother of five is dead after one of her dogs turned on her in her own home. Michelle Hempstead, 34, was attacked by one of her pets on July 29 but managed to escape and climb over the balcony rail of her flat in Southend-on-Sea. She later died of her injuries at Royal London Hospital, an inquest was told, before it was suspended for three months pending criminal investigation.
Police said two dogs were taken from Michelle’s home, but it’s not believed either of them were a banned breed. Lincoln Brookes, senior coroner for Essex, told the inquest he offered his ‘deepest condolences’. A post-mortem found that a laceration to her upper left arm cut Michelle’s left axillary artery, which contributed to her death.
She also suffered from multi-organ failure and hypovolemic shock. One of Michelle’s friends told the Southend Echo: ‘She always went above and beyond for people, whether it was stray cats or rough sleepers, Michelle would always get them water, always do something and always recognise people.’ More Trending Congestion hits major motorway after car fire Mum of man suspected of stabbing girl in Leicester Square says she is 'sorry' Sloth fever map shows where deadly disease is spreading across Europe London station turned into scene from wild west with knives and guns drawn A fundraiser has been set up for her funeral costs.
One friend wrote on the page: ‘Michelle wasn’t just a mother to five beautiful children, she was a daughter, a frien.