Tributes paid following death of West Yorkshire senior coroner
Kevin McLoughlin held the role, which is responsible for overseeing inquests in Wakefield and Leeds, since 2018.
Last updated 20 hours ago
The senior coroner for the West Yorkshire eastern area has died, Wakefield Council has confirmed.
Kevin McLoughlin held the role, which is responsible for overseeing inquests in Wakefield and Leeds, since 2018.
The West Yorkshire eastern corner’s service is one of the busiest coronial areas in the country, managing an average of 3,800 reported deaths each year and more than 800 inquests.
The service achieved national recognition under Mr McLoughlin’s leadership, ranking first in the country for concluded inquests in 2023 and 2024.
Mr McLoughlin also played a key role in securing a new £2.7m purpose‑built coroner’s court in Wakefield city centre in 2023.
He presided over several high‑profile inquests during his time as senior coroner, including the death of Ann Maguire, who was murdered while teaching at a school in Leeds in 2014.
Tony Reeves, chief executive of Wakefield Council, the authority responsible for managing the coroner’s office, said: “We offer our sincere condolences to Mr McLoughlin’s family and friends.
“He will be greatly missed by his colleagues here in Wakefield and from across the wider coronial and legal community.
“Mr McLoughlin’s contribution will leave a lasting impact regionally and nationally, reaching beyond individual casework, helping to shape national policy and drive system improvements.
“He was also an advocate for widening access to the legal profession.
“He championed opportunities for people from a broader range of academic backgrounds, helping to diversify and strengthen the future of the Bar.
“His legacy is one of integrity and innovation and his contributions will continue to shape the coronial services long into the future.”
Prior to taking up the role, Mr McLoughlin was a part-time assistant coroner for the region while practising as a barrister at chambers in London.
He was a university law lecturer at the start of his career before becoming a solicitor and partner in two national firms where he held senior management positions.
The council said it would work with the Chief Coroner’s Office to ensure the coronial service was fully supported