Novichok investigation: Who was Dawn Sturgess and how did she get poisoned?

The conclusive report regarding the death of Dawn Sturgess, who succumbed to the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury in 2018, is scheduled for release on Thursday. An inquiry in late 2024 examined six weeks of public testimony exploring connections between her death and the attempted murder of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Following these public sessions, private hearings in January 2025 presented highly classified intelligence from UK security agencies.

Who Was Dawn Sturgess?

Dawn Sturgess, aged 44, died on 8 July 2018 at Salisbury Hospital after being exposed to Novichok. The mother of three was poisoned after coming into contact with a perfume bottle containing a "significant amount" of the nerve agent. Investigators noted that the quantity of Novichok present was enough to be lethal to thousands. Her partner, Charlie Rowley, told authorities he had discovered the bottle in a charity collection bin on 27 June. Ms Sturgess collapsed at Mr Rowley's Amesbury home, around seven miles from Salisbury, shortly after opening the perfume on 30 June. Mr Rowley also fell ill but was released from hospital on 20 July.

Understanding Novichok and Nerve Agents

Nerve agents are highly toxic chemicals that disrupt the nervous system and can be fatal. They may appear as powders, gases, or liquids, with liquids being able to penetrate the skin. "Novichok," meaning "newcomer" in Russian, refers to a group of sophisticated nerve agents developed by the former Soviet Union during the 1970s and 1980s. These substances are lethal in minute quantities and must be handled in sealed containers with protective gear.

Who Are Sergei and Yulia Skripal?

Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned on 4 March 2018. Sergei Skripal had been imprisoned in Russia in 2006 for spying for Britains MI6, later receiving a pardon in 2010 and relocating to the UK. Yulia had arrived from Moscow the day before the attack. The pair collapsed in Salisbury after having lunch and were later found to have been exposed to Novichok on a door handle at Sergeis residence. Yulia was released from the hospital on 9 April, and Sergei on 18 May, both reportedly making full recoveries. For security reasons, their movements after the attack remain undisclosed. Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, the first responder to the Skripal house, spent nearly three weeks in hospital, and a child who interacted with the area also became unwell.

Russias Alleged Role

The UK government quickly pointed to Russia in connection with the Skripal attack. Prime Minister Theresa May stated that the suspects, arriving at Gatwick Airport from Moscow on 2 March as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, were later identified as Russian intelligence officers Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin. CCTV footage placed them in Salisbury the day before the attack, and they returned to Moscow on 4 March. President Vladimir Putin denied involvement. Another Russian operative, Denis Sergeev, known in London as Sergey Fedotov, was later identified as a third suspect.

The Inquiry Into Dawn Sturgess Death

Unexpected deaths often trigger a coroners inquest, but Ms Sturgess case was upgraded to an independent inquiry to access sensitive intelligence. Unlike a trial, the inquiry has no jury and cannot issue a guilty verdict; it aims to determine responsibility and draw lessons. Inquiry chairman Lord Hughes heard testimony from NHS personnel, police officers, and intelligence representatives, though the Skripals did not participate. The complete report will be released at 12:00 GMT on Thursday, 4 December, accompanied by a statement from Lord Hughes at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.

Author: Gavin Porter