Coroner’s inquest has found Ethan and Elizabeth John were unlawfully killed
Veronique John was handed an indefinite hospital order after the deaths of 7-year-old Elizabeth and 11-year-old Ethan in Stoke-on-Trent
Last updated 31st Jul 2025
A Coroner’s inquest into the deaths of Ethan and Elizabeth John has today found they were unlawfully killed.
The children, aged 11 and seven, were killed by their mother, Veronique John, at their home in Flax Street, Stoke-on-Trent, on 11 June 2023.
She also stabbed their father at his workplace on Campbell Road, Stoke. Veronique John had previously been subject to a trial of facts in Nottingham Crown Court in July 2024, having been found unfit to plead.
At that trial, a jury reached a finding on all counts that she did the acts against her for the murder of Ethan and Elizabeth and the attempted murder of Nathan. Mrs John was made subject to an indefinite hospital order with restrictions.
Police officers first attended the family home on 9th June 2023, when a 999 call was made and abandoned. Officers attended and spoke to Mrs John who said she wanted her husband out of the house. Mr John was no longer present. No offences were disclosed. Their two children were at home, who when spoken to confirmed they had heard arguing but not seen anything.
Later that day, Mr John reported to the police that he had been assaulted by his wife that morning. Mrs John was arrested just before midnight on suspicion of assault and threats to kill Mr John. No offences or risks highlighted towards the children were identified. A police investigation commenced and Mrs John was interviewed. She admitted assaulting her husband but denied threats to kill. She was remorseful. The Coroner found there was nothing in her behaviour that suggested to the police she was suffering from a mental health condition at that time. She was issued a community resolution and released from custody a few hours later. She was taken back to her home and Mr John went to sleep at his work address.
Mrs John subsequently attended Mr John’s workplace on 11th June 2023 and stabbed him stating that she had killed the children. Police were called. She returned home and called the police stating she had killed the children. Officers attended and Mrs John was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Below you can see the scene at the time of the incident
Following the tragic deaths of the children, Staffordshire Police referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in accordance with protocol.
It was returned for local investigation by the Force's Professional Standards Department. Seven areas for review were identified and the service level in some aspects was deemed unacceptable. Organisational learning and reflective practice were identified and a series of recommendations were made.
Substantial work is ongoing nationally and within Staffordshire Police to address domestic abuse. Staffordshire Police has undertaken a comprehensive review of the governance arrangements to ensure continued appropriate oversight of domestic abuse across the organisation.
HM Coroner Emma Serrano concluded that there was no real and immediate risk of serious harm to the children that the police did not or ought to have. The deaths were completely unpredictable. The Coroner noted the areas that the police had accepted had fallen below the standard of acceptable service levels for the domestic abuse case, but concluded that none of those matters were causative of death. The Coroner was satisfied the concerns she had identified were already being addressed by Staffordshire Police.
Mr John stated in court: “I honestly believe that no one could have foreseen what Veronique was going to do to Ethan and Elizabeth. I do not feel that anyone is to blame other than Veronique. I am happy that the police have identified issues with the case and that they have implemented learning so no other family will hopefully go through what I have.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Sally Blaiklock, from our Specialist Crime Command, said: “The deaths of Ethan and Elizabeth were truly devastating. Our thoughts remain with Mr John and his family and all those affected by this loss over the last two years. Mr John has been supported by our specialist officers and continues to be. We will always strive to make significant progress in improving how we investigate and support all victims and children in domestic abuse cases.”