Family spared trial over mummified remains of woman found on mattress

Charges against artist's brother, sister and mother to stay on file but prosecution not in public interest', says judge

The brother, sister and mother of a woman whose mummified remains were found on a mattress will not face trial, a judge has ruled.

Sean Morris, the recorder of York, decided on Tuesday that the charges - preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body without lawful excuse - should remain on file. These three defendants suffer from an extremely rare mental affliction which has created a unique situation for the criminal courts," he said.

Rina Yasutake, 49, a talented artist who was thought to have attended Cambridge University, was found dead on a mattress in September 2018. Her body had lain there for about six weeks.