Tot, 2, at centre of murder probe ‘died after receiving sharp blow to his abdomen’
Tributes have been paid to 'murdered' Harry House
A TRAGIC tot at the centre of a murder investigation was delivered a physical blow to his abdomen before he died, an inquest heard today.
Two-year-old Harry House is believed to have died from blunt force trauma after his body was discovered covered in bruising and grazing.
He went into cardiac arrest at his home in the village of Broadmayne, near Dorchester, Dorset, on the morning of May 26.
Despite paramedics' efforts he was declared dead at 11am at the Dorset County Hospital at Dorchester, .
Police launched a murder investigation on June 1 after receiving the results of a post mortem examination, which they did not disclose to the public.
As a result a local man and woman, both aged 21 and known to Harry, were arrested on suspicion of his murder.
They were released on bail after questioning by murder squad detectives and are due to return in August.
The Dorset coroner, Mr Sheriff Payne, today opened and adjourned the inquest into Harry's death.
Ian Parry, the senior coroner's officer, gave a provisional cause of death of blunt force trauma but explained that more tests are still to be carried out.
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He said: "On Thursday 26th May the body of Harry Reuben Jon House was identified at Dorset County Hospital.
"Harry went into cardiac arrest at his home. Paramedics attended and CPR was given. The CPR continued at hospital but at 11am his death was confirmed.
"Paramedics noted numerous bruises to the stomach and grazing with bruising on the back.
"On Wednesday 1st June pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffrey carried out a post mortem at Southampton
University Hospital.
"She concluded that, in her opinion, death was caused by a blunt force trauma to the abdomen, pending further enquiries."
Harry lived with his mother Lauren O'Neill and her boyfriend Joe Hughes in Broadmayne, having moved to the area about two months ago.
Pictures on Facebook show Harry had a large scar running across the side of his face, which is said to have been caused when he was cut falling with a plate and had to go to hospital for stitches in March.
His grandmother Sarah Richards said Harry's father, Joe House, and the rest of his family were all devastated by the toddler's death and described her son as "heartbroken".
He previously posted on Facebook: "Life won't be the same again."
Neighbours in the quiet close-knit village of Broadmayne reacted with shock to the news of Harry's death and said it was "like a thunderbolt".
Flowers were laid in tribute on the doorstep of the mid-terraced house last week.
The inquest has been adjourned until October 26.
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