AN inquest into a woman who died in West Cumbria has been opened by a coroner.

The family of 34-year-old Tiffany Render paid tribute after she died following an incident at George Street in Whitehaven. Police had been called to a property on the town centre street at around 11-45pm on March 22.

An inquest was opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning (Tues) and heard that Miss Render had died on 23rd March.

Reported circumstances were outlined during the brief hearing by Robert Cohen, one of His Majesty’s coroners for the Cumbria area.

“In those circumstances it is appropriate that I should open an inquest into the death of Miss Render and I do so,” said Mr Cohen.

A statement had been provided to the court from Miss Render’s mother, who had confirmed her daughter’s identity to two police detectives at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on 25th March.

Mr Cohen concluded the hearing by saying: “I have now considered the circumstances of the reported death of Miss Render and I am satisfied, in my general discretion, that it is appropriate to suspend the inquest into her death pending further enquiries which are being conducted by other agencies, including the police, into the circumstances of her death.

“As such the inquest stands suspended pending further order.”

The date of a full inquest will be confirmed in due course.

In a statement issued through Cumbria police after the death of Miss Render, her family said: “It is with great sadness that Tiffany has so tragically been taken from us. Tiffany will be sorely missed by her whole family. We will treasure every memory of her."

A 50-year-old Whitehaven man, Paul Irwin, of George Street, has been charged with the murder of Miss Render, and also stands accused of an alleged serious sexual assault on her.

Irwin appeared in front of a judge at Carlisle Crown Court late last month, and has yet to enter pleas to the two allegations he faces.

A provisional trial date has been listed and this is currently due to start on 12th November this year.