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After an inquest opening into the death of Joe Cook, held in Wakefield yesterday, West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff released the body of the fine arts student, 20, so his funeral can take place.

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Wakefield Coroner's Court heard that Mr Cook, pictured, originally from Newcastle, was living in student accommodation on Ebberston Terrace at Hyde Park.

Giving evidence at the inquest opening, Det Supt Bill Shackleton said that on August 31, just after 2pm, officers were called to Mr Cook's home after receiving reports of an alarm going off.

They made their way into the first-floor front bedroom of the house and found Mr Cook's body.

He had suffered stab wounds, Det Supt Shackleton said.

Detectives launched a full scale murder investigation, led by Det Supt Shackleton.

He said: "A man was arrested and charged with the murder of Joe Cook.
He is currently remanded in custody awaiting trial at Leeds Crown
Court."

Mr Hinchliff told the court that a post-mortem examination had been carried out on Mr Cook which showed he died of multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen.

Mr Hinchliff adjourned the inquest pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

As reported in the YEP, 30-year-old Graham Brear, of Wortley Towers,
Armley, has already appeared in court via video link charged with Mr Cook's murder.

Mr Cook had been due to start his second year at Leeds Met. His body was discovered after a smoke alarm was activated by a fire which had been deliberately started in the room but had burned itself out by the time police officers arrived.