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Baroness Hallett vowed to conduct a “fair, fearless and thorough” inquest to establish who killed the 44-year-old and where the nerve agent came from. Dawn died after coming in contact with
the Novichok used by Russian hitmen in the attempted murder of MI6 double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, Wilts, in 2018. The deadly chemical was smuggled into Britain in a perfume
bottle and discarded after the failed assassination bid. It was later picked up by Dawn’s partner Charlie Rowley and given to her at his home in Amesbury. Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter
Yulia, 33, survived after Novichok was smeared on his door. Another victim was one of the first police on the scene, Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. He recovered but was so badly affected he
had to quit his job. Russian military intelligence officers known as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were identified as the would-be assassins. They deny any involvement. At a
preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, Baroness Hallett said Dawn’s family and friends “have lost not only a loved one but in circumstances that attracted national and
international attention”. She added: “They and all those in the county of Wiltshire have my assurance I will conduct a fair, fearless and thorough investigation.” A further hearing will be
held in June or July.