Inquest opens into deaths of mother and baby in Bristol

More support is to be offered to women who are at risk of mental health problems during pregnancy following the death of a mother and newborn baby in Bristol.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said women who are at risk of mental health problems should receive extra support before, during and after their pregnancy.

Louise Howard, a perinatal psychiatrist, chaired the Guideline Development Group for NICE.

A coronor's officer has told an inquest that a four day old baby found in the Avon Gorge in Bristol was identified by her wristband.

Zaani Tiana and her mother Charlotte Bevan, vanished from St Michael's Hospital in Bristol on December 2.

CCTV footage captured the new mother leaving the ward in a t-shirt and hospital flip flop slippers, with her baby wrapped in a blanket, despite near freezing conditions.

Following a city-wide search the body of Charlotte was found on the cliff face of the Avon Gorge, Bristol, almost two miles away from the hospital ward, a day after she disappeared.

The body of little Zaani Tiana was found near where her mother had been found, 15 hours later, following an extensive search.

A short hearing at Avon Coroner's Court, in Flax Bourton, near Bristol, heard that the pair had apparently fallen from the cliffs, that overlook Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The hearing was adjourned while reports and statements are prepared for the coroner.

A full inquest into the tragic double death will be heard on 16 April 2015.

No family attended the short hearing.

The funeral of Charlotte and her daughter is due to be held on Friday near her home in Bristol.

An inquest has opened and been adjourned into the death of a mother and baby who's bodies were found in the Avon Gorge in Bristol.

No cause of death was given at the inquest in Flax Bourton, but coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said that both bodies were "found lifeless after apparently falling". The inquest will be held on April 16.

Thirty-year-old Charlotte Bevan left St Michael's Hospital in Bristol with four-day-old Zaani Tiana at around 9pm on December 2. CCTV footage showed the new mother leaving the hospital without a coat, wearing hospital slippers, carrying her daughter in a blanket.

Search teams located the bodies of Ms Bevan and Zaani on the Avon Gorge on December 3 and 4 respectively.

The inquest into the death of a mother and baby whose bodies were found in the Avon Gorge in Bristol opens today.

Charlotte Bevan and her newborn daughter Zaani went missing from St Michael's Hospital earlier this month, prompting a huge search.

Their funeral is to be held on Friday at Christ Church in Clifton, followed by a private cremation ceremony for family only.

The funeral of Charlotte Bevan and her daughter Zaani Tiana will be held on Friday.

The funeral will take place at Christ Church in Clifton, followed by a private cremation ceremony for family only.

Charlotte's family has asked those attending to wear bright clothing and not to bring any cut flowers.

A book of condolence will be placed in Bristol for people to leave their messages for Charlotte Bevan and baby Zaani. The book will be at Christ Church in Clifton.

A minute's silence was held on Clifton Suspension Bridge last night for Charlotte Bevan and her baby.

Their bodies of the 30 year old and her daughter Zaani Tiana were discovered in the Avon Gorge, close to the bridge, last week. They had gone missing from a Bristol maternity hospital a short time before.

Tributes and flowers have been left at the Avon Gorge for Charlotte Bevan and her 4 day old baby daughter. Charlotte's body was found on Wednesday night, a day after she disappeared from St Michael's hospital.

Southmead Hospital say they have reminded staff of their security rules after the deaths of a mother and her baby this week. The hospital say no-one can enter or leave the maternity wards without passing a member of staff.

Clare Byam Cook, former midwife says a shortage of midwives means new mothers can not be kept an eye on all the time.