Dorset Police have issued an update to their investigation into the cause of death of two men and one woman, who were residents of the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset.
Emergency services were called early in the morning to the care home in Ulwell Road on Wednesday 23rd October 2024.
A multi agency response with police, ambulance and fire services all called to the care home in Ulwell Road
Local woman released without charge
At the time, there was no immediate, obvious cause of death of the three residents, so the care home was evacuated and the residents moved to the nearby hall at All Saints Church.
Later that day at a news conference, police said that the deaths of the two men aged 74 and 91 and an 86 year old woman, were being treated as unexplained and that possible carbon monoxide poisoning was the primary line of enquiry.
As part of initial enquiries into the deaths, a 60 year old local woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Now Dorset Police say that following further investigative work, she has been released from the investigation without charge.
Representatives from the emergency services updated the media on the afternoon of the incident
“May take several months”
Detective chief inspector Neil Third, of the major crime investigation team, said:
“The deceased and their loved ones remain at the forefront of our minds throughout our investigation.
“Over recent weeks we have been continuing to gather as much information as we can, working with HM Coroner, to establish a cause of death.
“To enable us to take a full account and recover any available evidence, while providing legal protection to the person, we made an arrest as part of our enquiries.
“The arrest was also made to establish where there were any actions or omissions by that individual that were believed to be grossly negligent and we have now reached a position where we do not believe that to be the case.
“Our investigation is very much still ongoing and we are awaiting results from detailed forensic submissions and analysis to assist us in establishing the causes of the deaths, which may take several months.
“The families of the residents who sadly died are being kept informed with any updates in the investigation.”
Residents have not returned to Gainsborough Care Home
“Traumatic event for all involved”
Gainsborough Care Home, owned by the company Agincare, remains unoccupied with all the residents now living at alternative care homes.
About 40 residents were moved, some many miles away from Swanage, although this allowed some to be closer to relatives.
Dorset Council, which is responsible for care provision for the area, says that agencies are working closely with individuals and families to assess their situations and to plan for the coming days and weeks.
A Dorset Council spokesperson said:
“This process is being handled with care and consideration to mitigate what has been a traumatic event for all involved.”
