A woman tragically lost her life after being trampled by a cow shortly after sending her mother a photo of cattle in a field, an inquest has revealed.
Rebekah Morris, affectionately known as Becki, was walking her chihuahua, Zero, in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire, on the evening of July 9, 2022, when the incident occurred.
During the jury inquest, which commenced at Leicester Coroner’s Court on Monday, it was disclosed that the 29-year-old had messaged her mother shortly before 9 PM, sharing a photo that captured several cows in the distance, accompanied by the playful caption “cowz.”
The court heard that after sending the image, Morris stopped responding to her mother’s messages. This sudden lack of communication raised concern for her parents, who set out to search for her. Following the trail of her last message, they arrived at the field and found her injured.
How Did Rebekah Morris Die?
Morris went into cardiac arrest following the incident, and despite the valiant efforts of paramedics, a local farmer named Guy Hutton, and other residents who performed CPR before the arrival of emergency services, she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene at 11:21 PM.
Dr. Michael Biggs, the forensic pathologist who conducted the postmortem examination, informed the jury that Morris’s injuries were “consistent with hoof marks from a trampling incident.” He detailed that she had suffered blunt-force traumatic injuries and abrasions to her upper chest and left shoulder, with distinct “hoof prints” observed on her body, as well as significant damage to her liver.
“There was extensive damage to the liver, which led to severe internal bleeding. That was the primary cause of Becki’s death,” he explained.
Last Moments: A Text Message to Her Mother
Dr. Biggs further noted that while the injuries were severe, they were “not so large” as to suggest involvement from the entire herd, indicating that it was likely a “relatively brief incident involving one cow.”
During the hearing, a paramedic who responded to the scene revealed that initial reports indicated a woman had been attacked or strangled. Dr. Biggs acknowledged that there was “enough of a suspicion” to warrant a forensic postmortem examination to eliminate the possibility of foul play.
“There were no additional injuries to suggest the involvement of another person,” he stated. “All injuries were consistent with a livestock trampling incident. The type and location of the injuries, in my opinion, indicated the involvement of a large, heavy creature – such as a cow.”
Inquest Proceedings: Investigating the Circumstances
The inquest also examined the presence of alcohol and prescribed medications in Morris’s bloodstream at the time of the incident. However, Dr. Biggs clarified that these substances did not pose a dangerous combination, noting that the alcohol level was “social” and would have had a minimal effect on her.
Before the inquest, Morris’s father, David Morris, spoke fondly of his daughter, describing her as “the sort of person that lit up the room when she walked into it.” He characterized her as a “wonderful, lovely girl” who was kind-hearted, compassionate, and always willing to lend a listening ear to others.
The inquest, anticipated to last five days, is ongoing at Leicester Town Hall.
