A forensic pathologist has told an inquest that a Lurgan woman whose body was found in a bath may have died from a condition linked to alcohol misuse rather than drowning or assault.

Dr Ben Swift was giving evidence at Belfast Coroner's Court on the second week of the inquest into the death of Laura Marshall, a dental nurse who was found in 2016 with bruising on her body and forehead and a gash on her left arm. She was discovered partially submerged in bath water at her flat on Victoria Street in Lurgan after a downstairs neighbour reported water coming into his flat.

Dr Swift disputed the view of former state pathologist Professor Jack Crane, who had concluded that Ms Marshall died by drowning and that her injuries were more likely to have been sustained in an assault. Instead, Dr Swift told the inquest he believes the evidence points to alcoholic ketoacidosis, a metabolic condition that can occur after heavy alcohol use.

He said he found little evidence to support the proposition that Ms Marshall had drowned, and that the pattern of injuries did not support an assault. He also disagreed with the suggestion that some injuries were indicative of sexual assault, saying there were a variety of possible explanations.

The inquest has previously heard that Ms Marshall had told a family member that her partner Gary O'Dowd had threatened to kill her, subjected her to regular beatings, and scalded her with boiling water. Mr O'Dowd was charged with murder in April 2016 but the charges were withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service in February 2018.

Karen Quinlivan KC, acting for Ms Marshall's next of kin, questioned Dr Swift at length. She suggested he had tried to ridicule other experts' hypotheses in emails and had been derogatory about another expert or police, claiming confirmation bias. Dr Swift responded that he was providing an unbiased opinion for the purpose of the court and that his findings were not for the benefit of Mr O'Dowd.

Coroner Louisa Fee reminded parties at the opening of the inquest that the proceedings are not designed to attribute blame to any individual. The inquest continues.