Elderly woman found dead in freezer at home as police probe mysterious death

Elderly woman found dead in freezer at home as police probe mysterious deathSylvia Phillips, 89, was found dead inside a freezer in Porthcawl earlier this year after concerns had been raised about her welfare - but detectives still don't know how she diedNewsRobert Harries and Zahra Khaliq News Reporter11:39, 15 Apr 2026Updated 11:39, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesPolice at the scene in Porthcawl (Image: John Myers/Wales Online)An elderly woman was found dead in a freezer at a house in Wales with investigators yet to determine how she died, an inquest heard.Sylvia Phillips, 89, was discovered at the property on Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl, on February 17 by officers from South Wales Police who were responding to concerns about her welfare.An inquest into the death was opened today by the Senior Coroner for South Wales Central, Graeme Hughes, at Pontypridd Coroner's Court.View 2 ImagesChristopher Phillips(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)Coroner's officer Joanne Webb told the hearing that a post mortem was carried out at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but a provisional cause of death has not been provided as further investigations are needed. Mr Hughes adjourned the inquest until a later date to be fixed.Article continues belowMs Phillips' son, Christopher Phillips, 60, was arrested following the discovery of her body in February.He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court last month charged with preventing a lawful burial and is due to appear at the same court for a further hearing on April 16.