AN inquest has been opened into the death of a teenager who was allegedly killed by a man she met on a social networking site.
Coroner Andrew Tweddle opened the inquest into the death of Darlington">Ashleigh Hall, of Warwick Square, Darlington, at his office in Crook, County Durham, at 9.30am this morning.
The 17-year-old's body was found in a field near the A689/A177 roundabout near Sedgefield, County Durham, on Monday October 27.
Mr Tweddle said that Ashleigh was born at Darlington on January 10, 1992, and that her grandfather, Raymond Michael Hall, had identified the student's body on the day it was discovered.
He adjourned the case for further inquiries.
Earlier this week police said that a post mortem examination revealed the cause of her death was consistent with smothering.
Ashleigh's funeral will take place at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, at 3pm on Tuesday followed by a private cremation.
Homeless Peter Chapman, 32, has been charged with the kidnap and manslaughter of Ashleigh and of failing to notify of a change of address as required by the Sex Offences Act. He will appear before Teesside Crown Court in January.
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