open verdict

noun

1. a finding by a coroner's jury of death without stating the cause

Example Sentences

The assistant coroner at South London Coroner's Court delivered an open verdict on the medical cause of Rebekah's death but said there was no doubt she was suffering from coercive control.

From BBC

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict at an inquest into the deaths at Chelmsford Coroner's Court in 2014, adding: "Not all of the pieces of the jigsaw are there yet."

From BBC

On 17 February 1977, a jury inquest in Haverfordwest returned verdicts of unlawful killing for Patti Thomas, and an open verdict on Griff.

From BBC

Instructing the jury last month, the coroner told them there were five verdicts open - accidental death, death by misadventure, unlawful killing, an open verdict or a narrative verdict.

From BBC

An open verdict means that the evidence does not fully or clearly explain the cause and circumstances of death.

From BBC