Christine Weatherhead has been fighting for 34 years for justice for her sister, whose body has never been found following a day trip in Yorkshire.
Andrew Robinson Chief Reporter
11:57, 30 Apr 2026Updated 13:03, 30 Apr 2026
Christine Weatherhead. Sister of missing woman Patricia Hall – speaking outside Wakefield coroners court
The sister of a Leeds woman who went missing 34 years ago broke down in tears as an inquest was finally opened into her presumed death.
Mother-of-two Patricia Ann Hall from Pudsey disappeared in 1992 aged 39 and has not been seen since. Her body has never been found.
Today, an inquest in Wakefield was opened into Patricia’s death by acting senior coroner Oliver Longstaff who expressed sympathy to the family and said a “very unusual set of circumstances” had led to the hearing.
Patricia’s sister, Christine Weatherhead, was in tears outside court following the hearing, having fought for an inquest to be held. She called it a “tremendous milestone” and said she had “fought the judicial system” for 34 years.
Mr Longstaff said Patricia’s former husband, Keith Hall, had been informed of the hearing but had been “unable to make arrangements to attend.” The coroner thanked West Yorkshire Police for informing Patricia’s adult sons of the inquest hearing.
Mr Longstaff said that Patricia’s sister, Christine Weatherhead, had applied to the court for an inquest which had been granted by the deputy chief coroner for England and Wales.
Patricia Hall and her sister (Image: Prime Video )
Mr Longstaff said Patricia had last been seen alive on January 25, 1992, on a family trip to Ripon, North Yorkshire. There had been no reported or confirmed sightings of Patricia since that date, and there was no “circumstantial evidence” to identify that she is still alive.
Mr Longstaff said Patricia’s sons were granted probate in March 2006 on the basis that she had died on or since January 27, 1992.
The coroner’s court was told that Keith Hall was granted a decree nisi in August 2001 and a decree absolute in October that year. The divorce rulings were based on the presumption of Patricia’s death.
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Mr Longstaff said that two court orders had made rulings that Patricia is dead. He said there was “reason to suspect” that Patricia’s death was violent or unnatural.
“There is reason to suspect that Mrs Hall’s abrupt and complete disappearance is a consequence of her having died a violent or unnatural death,” the coroner said.
Mr Longstaff said the court would be inviting Keith Hall to provide a statement.
‘We have fought for 34 years’
Following the 20-minute hearing, Christine said: “The opening of the inquest today is emotional for me, my family and Pat’s wider family and marks a major milestone for us.
“For 34 years, we have fought the judicial system to have Pat acknowledged, not as missing, or just a number on a case file, but as a kind, loving, devoted mother, sister, and daughter who would never have left her sons, Andrew and Graeme, or her family.
“Pat was known for her warmth and generosity, always putting her family first. Her absence has left a void that has never been filled.
“We hope this inquest will finally provide the recognition Pat deserves, with a verdict that honours her and to accept that Pat is no longer with us but we will always remember her with dignity.”
Christine said she believed “something untoward” had happened to her sister. Speaking outside court, she said: “We’ve tried so many times over the last 34 years, it’s quite a tremendous milestone.
“To finally get this day is hard to put into words.”
Christine Weatherhead, sister of Patricia Hall, who disappeared in 1992(Image: Yorkshire Live )
“I’ve always said that she would never have left her family – certainly not her two boys.
“Something untoward has happened to Pat and hopefully this inquest will give us that evidence about what may have happened.”
She said: “Pat was my big sister and she was just like a mother to all of us. She was always there. She was always supportive. She was always a buoyant, bright, bubbly person.
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“I want that recognition for Pat, in that she was a person, she was a mum, she was a sister and a daughter.
“I think after 34 years she deserves that recognition. It’s the least everybody can do for her.”
Patricia disappeared in 1992 following an argument with her husband. Her car was found abandoned a mile from her home in Moorland Drive, Pudsey.
Wakefield Coroners Court
An investigation into her disappearance was launched but yielded no results despite extensive searches of woodland and rivers. Keith Hall became a suspect in the investigation after police set up a honeytrap in which he “confessed” to killing his wife.
Mr Hall was charged and tried for murder and acquitted after a nine-day trial. The trial judge ruled that a tape-recorded “confession” was inadmissible and unreliable.
West Yorkshire Police carried out a review of the case last year.
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A spokesman for the Force said the review did not uncover any new lines of inquiry.
Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jones, West Yorkshire Police lead for Specialist Crime and Criminal Justice, said:
“Our Major Investigation Review Team conducted a thorough cold case review into the disappearance of Patricia Hall, which concluded last year without uncovering any new lines of enquiries.
“Throughout the review, we remained in contact with Patricia’s family to offer support and keep them informed, and they were advised when the review came to an end.
“The case remains unsolved, and we continue to appeal for any new information that may help provide Patricia’s family with the answers they deserve.”
