The number of Isle of Wight coronial investigations that have remained open for more than a year has fallen by almost 60%, according to the latest annual report from the Chief Coroner.
The data has been revealed in Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran’s, Chief Coroner of England and Wales, report to the Lord Chancellor, published today (Thursday).
At the end of 2025, a total of 173 Isle of Wight cases had been open for more than 12 months, compared with 422 at the end of 2024, as previously reported by Island Echo.
It represents a reduction of 249 cases – nearly 60% – in the space of a year.
Despite the significant fall, the Isle of Wight remains towards the upper end of the national table for long-running coronial investigations.
Only 5 coroner areas recorded a higher number than the Isle of Wight: County of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay with 507, Inner South London with 303, South London with 243, Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton with 223 and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with 200.
This is an improvement on the position reported, when the Isle of Wight’s 422 outstanding cases placed it 2nd highest in England and Wales.
The Chief Coroner’s Annual Report 2025 says there are a variety of reasons why investigations can remain open for more than 12 months.
It states that the most common reasons nationally relate to matters outside a coroner’s control, including criminal investigations and investigations being carried out by other agencies.
Other factors can include local authority resourcing, coroner officer staffing, mortuary provision and pathology capacity.
