Man charged with homicide of mother-of-four who died in hospital 9 months after being discovered critically injured in a entrance backyard
A man has been charged with murder after a mother-of-four died in hospital nine months after being found seriously injured in a front garden.
Karen Youdell was left in a vegetative state after allegedly being attacked at a property in Newton Heath, Manchester, on July 23, 2023.
The 50-year-old mother died on May 8 of this year, having been left in hospital since the incident.
Dean Johnstone, of no fixed address, was previously charged with attempted murder and assault in connection with the incident.
In an updated statement today, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the 43-year-old alleged killer has now been charged with murder.
Johnstone is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in the new year, on January 22.
A GMP spokesman said: ‘Dean Johnstone, of no fixed abode, has now had his charges amended from attempted murder and assault to murder. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 22 [2025].
‘This is following the death of Karen Youdell after reports were received of an attack on Rose Bank Road, North Manchester back in July 2023. She sadly later passed away from her injuries in May 2024.’
Karen’s daughter, Leanne Youdell, previously described her mother as ‘loving, vibrant and radiant’, who ‘loved and cherished life’.
Her devastated family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off Ms Youdell’s life-support machine earlier this year. She died on May 8 surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Heartbroken teaching assistant Leanne said she and her family had struggled to cope with Karen’s loss.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News earlier this year, Leanne said: ‘It’s just been like a living hell for us. We’ve been going back and forth from hospital for months seeing her in a vegetative state.
‘I’ve been bringing my younger siblings up and I’ve got two children of my own. My son told me, ‘But nana wasn’t old.’
‘The last time he saw her, she was playing on the trampoline with him. Our whole lives have been taken away. She’s been suffering in the hospital and now we’re left suffering for the rest of our lives.’
Paying tribute to Karen, Leanne added: ‘She was honestly so energetic and really bright.
‘She was just so full of life. She spoke to everyone. She was always a people person and loved being up and about. She always got out as early as she could.’
This is a breaking news story, updates to follow.
