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<p>Sudden deaths are always investigated by coroners in England and Wales.</p><br
/><p>Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 the coroner has a duty to investigate
a death that is reported to him or her if it appears that the death was violent or
unnatural, the cause of the death is unknown, or the person died in state detention.
If the investigation does not disclose the cause of death, indicates that the death
was unnatural, or the coroner considers that there is good reason to continue the
investigation, he or she has a duty to hold an inquest.</p><br /><p>Where someone
is to be prosecuted for causing a death, the coroner’s investigation must be suspended
and any inquest adjourned, until the criminal trial is over. The coroner may only
resume the investigation after the trial if he or she considers there is sufficient
reason for doing so. The coroner must also suspend an investigation where an inquiry
under the Inquiries Act 2005 is to be held into the death. Again, the coroner may
only resume the investigation after the inquiry has reported if he or she considers
there is sufficient reason for doing so.</p>
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