THE inquest of a woman who was strangled to death by her ex-partner opens in Chelmsford this morning.
Maria Stubbings, 50, from the city, was strangled by a dog-lead in December 2008 by Marc Chivers, who had already killed a previous girlfriend.
Chivers was given a whole-life sentence.
At the time Essex Police were criticised for not offering Ms Stubbings enough protection after Chivers was given a four-month sentence after assaulting her. Following his conviction Ms Stubbings found out about him serving 15 years in prison for killing an ex-girlfriend.
Days before she was killed, Ms Stubbings called the police to say Chivers had burgled her home.
A week later, with police continuing investigations, they found her body at home.
The hearing, at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court, is expected to last about six weeks.
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