A mum whose husband has been charged with her murder was stabbed, an inquest has heard.

Deborah Gumbrell, 59, died at her home in Northbourne Close, Shoreham, on Monday, October 24.

The opening of an inquest into her death gave her provisional cause of death as haemorrhage and “stab wounds to heart, liver and aorta”.

The hearing, held in Chichester on Tuesday, was told Sussex Police were called to an incident at Northbourne Close shortly after 12.30pm on October 24.

Air ambulance and paramedic crews attended and began life saving techniques but Mrs Gumbrell was pronounced dead at 1.29pm.

The inquest was adjourned until January 4 to be heard by West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said at the time: "Police attended Northbourne Close just after 12.40pm on Monday, October 24 following reports a woman had been seriously assaulted inside a property.

"Upon arrival, officers found Deborah Gumbrell, 59, unconscious and despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers at this time."

Mrs Gumbrell worked for many years at Marks and Spencer in Brighton and later as a nursery assistant.

Tributes poured in for her, with one neighbour calling her “a very nice, very kind lady who always stopped to talk to you”.

Another person said: "Debbie was a fantastic key worker to our two boys at the nursery she worked at, they adored her. We are distraught at the news. She will be sorely missed.”

Mrs Gumbrell's husband James Gumbrell, 62, was arrested and charged with murder. The retired bricklayer will face trial in April next year.

Police are still keen to hear from anyone with information which could help with the investigation.

It can be reported to police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Terrace.