Detectives have revealed a murder investigation is underway on the Fylde coast five years after discovering a woman could have been poisoned.
Linda Stutchfield died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital in October 2021 after being admitted following her return from a holiday in Cornwall with her new partner.
A post mortem revealed the 72-year-old from Fleetwood died from a bowel infarction but it also showed possible evidence of silver toxicity poisoning.
In 2021, a now 78-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
An inquest review hearing last week at Blackpool Town Hall, five years after Ms Stutchfield’s death, heard the police investigation was still ongoing and further toxicology tests were being done by a senior pathologist to discover how and why the silver toxicity poisoning was present.
The National Library of Medicine says silver toxicity is a rare condition. The most notable feature is a grey-blue discoloration of the skin, argyria, although harmful effects on the liver and kidney may be seen in severe cases. Neurological symptoms are an unusual consequence of silver toxicity. So far no effective treatment has been found for this metal overdose.
Now detectives have revealed that warrants were executed in the Wigan and Frodsham areas in July 2025, and the 78-year-old man was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
A Lancashire Police spokeswoman appealed for anyone with information about the case to contact them.
She said: “An investigation remains underway after a woman died in Blackpool in 2021.
“We were informed of the death of 72-year-old Linda Stutchfield on 11th October 2021.
“Following a Home Office Postmortem examination, an investigation into Linda’s death commenced.
“In 2021, a now 78-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Following further enquiries, in July 2025, our officers executed warrants in the Wigan and Frodsham areas, and the 78-year-old man was re-arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been released under investigation whilst our enquiries continue.
“Anyone who may be able to assist those enquiries is asked to contact 101 quoting log 0378 of 12th October 2021.”
During last week’s inquest review hearing, the coroner was told that police investigations included reviewing the medical records of a former partner of Ms Stuchfield’s new partner.
Mr Wilson said that he was unable to hold an inquest until it was known whether the matter was to be the subject of a criminal prosecution.
He said another review would take place in three months’ time and that he would set another date in the diary for either a further review or an inquest depending on the circumstances.
“It is important we give the police and Dr Armour adequate time to look fully into the matter,” he said.