How death of three-month-old girl found in tent 'remains unexplained', inquest hears - as she is named and four remain on bail over 'murder'

Published: 16:12 EDT, 7 October 2026 | Updated: 16:18 EDT, 7 October 2026 The cause of death of a three-month-old girl who passed away on a camping trip with her family 'remains unascertained', an inquest heard. Lacey May Oxford died after going into cardiac arrest inside one of a number of tents next to a fishing pond near Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, at 8.45am on September 5. Her death sparked a murder investigation, with four people subsequently arrested and released on conditional police bail. The suspects included a 42-year-old man and 30-year-old woman from South Staffordshire, a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall, West Midlands. As police continue a probe, an inquest opened into Lacey's death in Stoke on Wednesday heard that her cause of death is 'yet to be ascertained'. It was heard that West Midlands Ambulance Service phoned Staffordshire Police at 8.45am on September 5, with the infant pronounced dead at 9.06am. Coroner Lindsay Tonks said: 'Lacey passed away in a tent in fields off Strawberry Lane, Great Wyrley. Identification was confirmed by her parents who were both present at the scene. 'It was reported that a three-month-old child was in cardiac arrest at a makeshift encampment within the woodland off Strawberry Lane, approximately half-a-mile from the nearest roadway. The child was located within one of a number of tents situated near a fishing pond. A three-month-old baby girl died after she was found in cardiac arrest in a tent near Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, at 8.45am on September 5 Vehicles from Staffordshire Police are pictured at the scene'Ambulance staff attended and, following assessment, confirmed Lacey was deceased. They pronounced life extinct on the scene at 9.06am.'She added: 'Investigations ensued by police, which I understand are still ongoing. In the meantime, there has been a paediatric forensic post-mortem carried out by Charlotte Randall. It was determined that the precise medical cause of death is yet to be ascertained.'Lacey's family previously released a statement via Chase TV, thanking the community for its concern.They said the youngster had been with her family, who had joined the baby's grandfather for a night of fishing at a pond.The family said: 'We as a family appreciate the community concerns and well wishes for this tragic event that happened where the children and parents joined grandad for a night fishing at the pond.'As everyone can understand it is a traumatic time for everyone involved and we would ask for some privacy at this difficult time without speculation while Staffordshire Police do their job, as we as a family don't even know the details or circumstances ourselves.'Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from the force's child protection team, said previously: 'I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern.'While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident.'While we fully understand that speculation into the nature of this incident is likely to take place, we'd ask people to follow this page for factual, accurate updates as our investigation unfolds and to avoid sharing unconfirmed and speculative claims online.'A statement from Staffordshire Police read: 'We were called by colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service, who were responding to a report of a child in cardiac arrest, at 8.45am on Saturday 5 September. 'Sadly, Lacey was later pronounced dead at the scene. Officers have been working hard to investigate the circumstances of Lacey's death, which is still being treated as unexplained. 'All four people who were previously arrested in connection with the investigation remain on conditional police bail at this time. Our enquiries are continuing and we will continue to provide updates on this investigation when we are able to do so.'