Michaela Hall: Murdered woman was let down, son tells inquest

The son of a woman murdered by her partner has told the inquest into her death that his mother was "let down".

Michaela Hall, 49, from Cornwall, was killed by Lee Kendall on 31 May 2021.

Kendall, 45, an ex-prisoner who was an alcoholic and former drug addict, was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term for her murder.

The inquest in Truro also heard from another of Ms Hall's sons who described her as "the best mum ever".

Ms Hall, who was a fundraiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), had been attacked by Kendall on multiple occasions before her death, the inquest heard.

Her family have raised a number of concerns about the response of police and other agencies.

In a pen portrait read to the court, Ms Hall's son said his mother "was a good person, she didn't deserve this".

He said he had visited his mum before her death and "she often had bruises on her face".

"I think people let my mum down, by not keeping watch on Lee Kendall," he said.

"Mum had bruises everywhere because Lee Kendall was drinking a lot. They knew he was ill, but didn't act on it, which was their job.

"I think about her every day."

The inquest was told Ms Hall had phoned a friend on 31 May 2021 in distress.

In the call, Kendall could be heard shouting and Ms Hall was heard to say: "No, get off me Lee."

The friend, who lived abroad, rang Crimestoppers, which in turn alerted Devon and Cornwall Police.

Officers visited Ms Hall's home three times over the next 24 hours, but did not see anyone at the property and made no attempt to gain entry, the inquest was told.

After the visits, the force received two more phone calls, on 1 June, from Ms Hall's mother, who was concerned for her daughter's safety.

The same night her father found her dead in her bedroom, the hearing was told.

The court also heard a statement from Ms Hall's eldest son.

"Not a day goes by without thinking how amazing and caring she was," he said.

"The best mum ever... I will forever miss her."

Ms Hall first met Kendall in February 2019 when she was working for a charity helping ex-offenders. Kendall had just been released from prison.

Her father, Peter, said his daughter, who previously worked as a flight attendant, was "caring, intelligent and beautiful".

The inquest continues.

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