The 19-year-old's body arrived back in Britain on Thursday, nine days after she was killed in the small Australian town of Bundaberg.

Police believe she was the victim of a robbery and that she fell or was pushed from a 30ft high bridge as a result.

Opening the inquest, at a solicitor's office in York, city coroner William Coverdale confirmed the teenager's identity.

Questioned

A post-mortem carried out in Australia recorded that Ms Stuttle had died from "massive head and spinal injuries due to a fall from a height".

The inquest was than adjourned for a date to be fixed.

The full inquest will be responsible for establishing the facts of Ms Stuttle's death, rather than who was to blame.

A 21-year-old drifter, Jeremy Wilson, has been questioned about Ms Stuttle's death, but not charged.

On Tuesday he appeared before Bundaberg Magistrates Court on six drug-related charges and was jailed for seven months.

Boyfriend

Police still hunting Ms Stuttle's killer launched another search for her missing possessions on Thursday.

Divers scoured the bottom of the Burnett river in Bundaberg, in an attempt her mobile phone, grey handbag and purse.