A mother-of-five has died following a savage dog attack at her home just weeks after losing her daughter, it has been revealed.
Michelle Hempstead, 34, was mauled by a Bullmastiff-type breed at her ground-floor flat in Southend, Essex, on July 29. The attack left her with severe lacerations to her left arm.
Witnesses saw Ms Hempstead desperately climbing over her balcony railing in an attempt to flee the vicious assault. She then collapsed near a children's play area, according to neighbours.
Bystanders rushed to provide first aid after hearing Ms Hempstead's screams. Paramedics transported her to Southend Hospital, from where she was later transferred to the Royal London Hospital. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
An inquest into Ms Hempstead's death was opened on Thursday but has been adjourned pending the outcome of an ongoing police investigation.
Authorities have seized two dogs from the property - the Bullmastiff-type breed involved in the attack and another believed to be a Pomeranian. Neither animal has been destroyed.
Police confirmed that the dog responsible for the incident was “assessed by a dog liaison officer as not a banned breed”.
In a heartbreaking revelation, it has emerged that Ms Hempstead's death came just weeks after she lost her daughter on June 4.
Liah Smith, a friend of ten years, disclosed this information in an online appeal to raise funds for Ms Hempstead's funeral and to support her surviving children.
An inquest opened and suspended in Chelmsford on Thursday revealed that police found Ms Hempstead with a “laceration to her upper limb” on July 29.
A neighbour recounted the harrowing incident: “I was at home with my partner when we heard screaming. He went to help and I called an ambulance.
“By the time we had got down to her, she had run across to near the play area and had collapsed. She was unconscious and had a really nasty wound to the top of her arm.
“It was evidently a dog bite. I think she hadclimbed out over her balcony. I came out to help. She had run screaming and made it against a wall.”
The neighbour added that Ms Hempstead had a partner and was devoted to her dogs.
“She was quite friendly. We had had a puppy last year and she would stop us to see how he was getting on,” she said.
“I was not aware of any problems with her dogs. There was a boy aged around 14 or 15 who would come to her flat to walk the big dog. We saw both dogs being taken out early in the morning and they were both walking happily on a lead.”
A post-mortem examination revealed that the axillary artery - the main artery in the arm - had been severed, leading to severe blood loss and multiple organ failure.
Liah Smith, Michelle's friend of 10 years, paid tribute to her as “fun no matter the situation”.
In a GoFundMe set up in Ms Hempstead's memory, Ms Smith said: “Michelle's first born and only daughter (whose name I won't disclose to respect the family's privacy) slipped away from us on June 4th and was laid to rest peacefully on July 2.
“This passing was an awfully tragic time for Michelle and her family to endure. For something so harrowing to go through, they have not been able to reach a place of peace, and within the space of five weeks the family have had to deal with the shocking passing of Michelle too. Our hearts are broken.”
Ms Smith further described her friend as “fun, bubbly and selfless”, adding: “She always went above and beyond for people.
“Whether it was stray cars or rough sleepers, Michelle would always get them water, always do something and always recognise people. Even if all she had on her was £2 for the bus, she would have given it away.
“Her attitude was so carefree and she as such a fun person, no matter the situation and even when times were tough. She was such a positive person. She was so bubbly all the time to the point where you think 'You can't be like that all day.''
