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A MURDER probe has been launched after a woman poisoned with Novichok in Salisbury died in hospital.

Her partner Charlie Rowley remains in a serious condition in Salisbury District Hospital after regaining consciousness. Here's what we know...

 Dawn Sturgess is has been confirmed dead by Scotland Yard
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Dawn Sturgess is has been confirmed dead by Scotland YardCredit: Facebook

Who are Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess?

Charlie Rowley, 45, and Dawn Sturgess, 44, were being treated at Salisbury Hospital after being poisoned on Saturday June 30.

They were found unconscious and foaming at the mouth at a property in nearby Amesbury, Wiltshire.

Police said the couple were exposed to Novichok, the same deadly nerve agent which poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

On Sunday, 8 July, Scotland Yard confirmed they were launching an murder investigation after Dawn Sturgess was pronounced dead.

 Charlie Rowley was also found unconscious at the property and is in a critical condition
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Charlie Rowley was also found unconscious at the property and is in a critical condition

Neighbour Tom Ricks claimed dealers often placed stashes in their crack hideout at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury.

Police initially believed the pair had taken heroin or crack cocaine from a contaminated batch of drugs when they were called to an address in Muggleton Road.

But on the night of July 4, it was confirmed the pair had been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok - a deadly chemical weapon developed by Russia.

On July 13, cops revealed they had found the substance in a bottle at Charlie's home.

What is the latest on their condition?

Defence sources claimed the couple - who have no connections with Russia or security services - were poisoned and samples have been sent to the Porton Down research facility for urgent testing.

Medics confirmed they were contaminated through their hands, and both were rushed separately to hospital.

When Dawn was confirmed dead Charlie was still in a critical condition in hospital.

However, he regained consciousness and his condition was assessed as serious, but stable.

What happened to Sergei Skripal in Salisbury?

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by a suspected military nerve agent in Salisbury, which is around eight miles from Amesbury.

Mr Skripal, 67, and his daughter, 33, were left in a critical condition after they were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury city centre on March 4.

They spent weeks in Salisbury District Hospital where they underwent treatment for suspected exposure to the Russian-created nerve agent Novichok.


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