AN inquest has opened into the death of a man who died from stab wounds in Ellesmere Port.

Lloyd Velasquez, 34, of Durham Court, died at the Countess of Chester Hospital on May 1, Cheshire Coroners’ Court in Warrington was told on Wednesday (June 5).

A coroner’s officer said: “Mr Velasquez received stab wounds to his chest in Ellesmere Port and died later that day.

“This was an unnatural cause of death.

“It is requested that an inquest be opened and adjourned for further work to be completed.”

A further request to suspend the inquest was granted during the two-minute hearing.

Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, said: “I will suspend this inquest given that a charge has been brought and proceedings are now ongoing.

“I will suspend the inquest for eight months until Jan 31, 2025, a date after the trial has concluded and the case file reviewed.”

Ben Ruddock, 19, of Kendal Drive, Ellesmere Port, was arrested in the Halewood area of Merseyside at around 1.35am on Thursday, May 2.

He was subsequently charged with murder.

Ruddock appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on May 7, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on Friday, July 12.

The charges relate to the death of 34-year-old Lloyd Velasquez following an incident on Summertrees Road, Ellesmere Port, at around 8.20pm on Wednesday, May 1.

A 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man, both from Ellesmere Port, were also arrested on suspicion of murder.

They have since been bailed pending enquiries.