OBE for Caroline Beasley-Murray 

Barrister and senior coroner for Essex Caroline Beasley-Murray was among the recipients in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020

Caroline was awarded the OBE for services to HM Coroners’ Service (Chelmsford, Essex), and becomes the first woman coroner to be honoured in this way.

She has been HM Senior Coroner of Essex for more than 20 years, where she is the busiest coroner in the country. Caroline is a past President of the Coroners’ Society of England and Wales.  

In an article titled "Coroner that cares", the YourHarlow network gave an insight into Caroline's work. 'This reporter has been attending inquests at Chelmsford for over fourteen years and has witnessed first hand the kind manner with which she conducts what can only be very delicate proceedings.'

The Birthday Honours are normally announced in June, but this year were delayed due to Covid-19. 

Caroline said, 'I feel deeply honoured – but in this time of Covid-19 will I get to Buckingham Palace?'

Caroline is the wife of Baptist minister the Revd Dr Paul Beasley-Murray, who led Chelmsford Baptist Church between 1993-2014.