Father due to go on trial today for murdering daughter, 19, dies in prison after 'slashing wrists'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 12:34 PM on 04th January 2010

An unemployed man who was due to go on trial today accused of murdering his teenage daughter has died in prison. He is believed to have slashed his wrists.

Tony Couchman, 47, of Beecham Place, St Leonards, East Sussex, was charged with killing single mother-of-one Victoria Couchman, 19, in May 2008.

He was found unconscious in his cell by prison staff at HMP Lewes, in East Sussex on Saturday and pronounced dead minutes later.

Couchman was arrested after children playing in the Queensway area of St Leonards found her unburied skull in the woods in October 2008.

More searches led to the discovery of bones from her upper left leg, pelvis, tibia and a surgical pin.

Medical records were used to identify them as those of Victoria, who had lived with her father.

Couchman was also charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder investigation.

He had denied both charges and was listed for trial at Lewes Crown Court at 10am today.

Victoria's death came as a fresh blow to her family and friends following the death of her brother Dean, 17, in a road accident in 2005.

It was suggested at the time that she and her father argued over who was responsible for Dean's death.

She made mention of the tragedy on her Bebo profile when she responded to a question about her 'most missed memory' by writing 'my brother Dean'.

Detectives had examined whether Couchman posed as his daughter online after it emerged that messages were sent from her Bebo site at a time when police believed she was already dead.

Friends were told that the young mother had left her four-year-old daughter behind because she could no longer cope.

The force also said Victoria had not been reported to them as a missing person.
Neighbours described the young mother as a 'dedicated mum who spent hours playing with her daughter'.

And one neighbour said Couchman was a 'really nice guy' who would help with their garden.

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'HMP Lewes prisoner Tony Couchman was found unconscious in his cell at 11.30am on Saturday January 2.

'Paramedics attended the prison, but Mr Couchman was pronounced dead shortly after that time. The cause of death is yet to be determined.

'As with all deaths in custody, the prisons and probation ombudsman will conduct an investigation.'

A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'Police have confirmed that the man found dead in his cell at Lewes Prison on Saturday was Tony Couchman, whose trial for the murder of his daughter, Vicky, was due to start at Lewes Crown Court today.

'Prison staff found him shortly before noon on Saturday morning. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.

'Police were called, but are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances and have referred the matter to the coroner.'

From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240431/Father-facing-trial-murdering-daughter-dies-prison-slashing-wrists.html