Family of young mum stabbed to death by ex-partner left in agonising three-year wait for answers

The family of a young mum who was stabbed to death by her ex-partner in a murder suicide face a three-wait for her inquest to be heard.

Regan Tierney, 27, was found dead at her home in Walkden, Salford by her dad on June 13, 2019.

Her former partner Daniel Patten, 31, was found with critical injuries at the property on Manchester Road following her death, and died two days later.

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Police have previously stated that nobody else was involved in Regan's death and they were treating the tragedy as murder suicide.

Several years on from her horrific murder, an inquest to determine the circumstances which led to her death has still not taken place.

At a pre-inquest review heard at Bolton Coroner's Court today (February 17), Senior Coroner Alan Walsh told Miss Tierney's family the case had been 'fraught with difficulties.'

It is unlikely a full inquest will be listed before the autumn of this year - over three years after Regan died.

Mr Walsh told the hearing that the case had been delayed due the sudden deaths of two senior people involved in the investigation, and a backlog due to coronavirus.

"This inquest has been fraught with difficulties - the first was the sad death of Bob Tong, a senior officer with GMP," he said.

"He suddenly and unexpectedly died after he completed his investigation."

Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tong, who served with the force for 36 years, died at home in Bolton on January 4 last year.

Mr Walsh told the hearing that another Senior Investigating Officer, Duncan Thorpe, had since taken over the case.

"Julie Nicholson from the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) also sadly and unexpectedly died," Mr Walsh added.

"We also