Who was Dawn Sturgess and how did she come into contact with Novichok?

In 2018, a tragic incident shook the world as a British woman named Dawn Sturgess lost her life to Novichok poisoning. This week, an official inquiry into her death will commence, shedding light on the horrific event that made headlines globally. It all began with the shocking news of multiple individuals being poisoned with a deadly Russian nerve agent in Salisbury, UK. Among the victims was 44-year-old Dawn, who unfortunately succumbed to the exposure of Novichok, which was found in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury. This incident came just a few months after the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia, and police officer Nick Bailey, who were also poisoned with the same nerve agent in nearby Salisbury.

The poisoning of the Skripals and the death of Dawn were believed to be orchestrated by a Russian military intelligence squad, who allegedly smeared the nerve agent on Mr. Skripal's door handle. While the Skripals and Nick Bailey survived the attack, Dawn's boyfriend Charlie Rowley, who unknowingly gave her the perfume bottle, also fell ill but managed to pull through. It was a devastating loss for her family and loved ones, as Dawn was a mother of three children.

The incident sparked an international manhunt for the perpetrators, with three Russian men being identified as the main suspects. However, due to the Russian constitution's refusal to extradite its citizens, it is unlikely that these suspects will ever face trial for their alleged involvement. In an interview with Russian state media, two of the suspects claimed that they were only in the UK for a brief visit to Salisbury Cathedral. This revelation came after it was announced that the Skripals would not be giving evidence at the inquiry, citing concerns for their safety.

As the inquiry gets underway, the city of Salisbury can expect to see an increased police presence. However, the police have reassured the public that there is currently no evidence of any danger to the community. The Sturgess family had previously requested that the Skripals give oral evidence at the inquiry to address some unanswered questions. However, due to the risk of another physical attack on their lives, the family was excused from doing so by a court ruling. The then-Home Secretary Priti Patel later ordered that the inquest into Dawn's death be converted into a public inquiry in 2021, which will be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Lord Hughes of Ombersley. The inquiry is set to begin at The Guildhall in Salisbury on Monday.

Despite the tragedy and the ongoing inquiry, the memory of Dawn Sturgess lives on. As a tribute to her, flowers were placed outside of her residence, a reminder of the life that was taken too soon. While justice may not be served in the way that many hoped, the inquiry aims to bring closure to the loved ones of Dawn and shed light on the events that led to her untimely death.

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