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![An inquiry revealed that a mother and daughter were found dead at home, surrounded by burned-out BBQs](https://dazzlingdawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/An-inquiry-revealed-that-a-mother-and-daughter-were-found-dead-at-home-surrounded-by-burned-out-BBQs.jpeg)
The preliminary cause of the deaths at the bungalow was given as nitrate intoxication CREDIT: Solent News and Photo Agency[/caption]
An inquest heard on Thursday that a mother and her 17-year-old daughter were discovered dead in their £620,000 rural property, which was surrounded by burnt-out barbecues.
In Hampshire's New Forest National Park, the bodies of Suzan Mahmoud and Davina Allen were discovered inside their five-bedroom home. The audience was informed that Ms. Mahmoud's other daughter, 42, was the one who discovered the finding.
Following the double tragedy just after Christmas last year, an inquest into their deaths was officially opened on Thursday.
Winchester Coroner’s Court, in Hampshire, heard that Ms Mahmoud and Ms Allen were found lying in a bedroom surrounded by burnt-out barbeques. All windows and doors had been closed.
A preliminary cause of death was given as nitrate intoxication. A full inquest into the circumstances behind the deaths will take place next year.
The bodies were discovered at the detached bungalow on Dec 29. The property, which was sold for £620,000 in January last year, sits opposite a holiday park in Downton, near the village of Milford on Sea.
Debbie Smith, a 51-year-old hairdresser, and Tom Stockwell, a 50-year-old builder, said they saw three ambulances and around 25 police officers on the scene, although no police tape was put up around the house.
Ms Smith said: “The family purchased the house last January, but didn’t really move in. They were doing renovations and they had done a lot of work on the house.
“We know they spoke to another neighbour on Christmas Eve. On the day [of the deaths], we saw another daughter wrapped in a blanket outside with police. It’s incredibly sad, I can’t stop thinking about it. Just horrific.”
Hampshire Constabulary previously described the deaths as “unexplained but not suspicious”.
At the time, a spokesman for the force said: “We were called just after 1.45pm on Thursday Dec 29 to a report of the bodies of a 17-year-old girl and 42-year-old woman having been found at an address in Shorefield Road, Downton.
“The deaths are being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. Their family has been informed and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”