Three women charged with offences connected to the alleged murder and rape of Co Armagh showjumper Katie Simpson are to be sentenced on May 31.
The man accused of the murder and rape, Jonathan Creswell (36), who had denied the offences, died last month on the second day of his trial before a jury at the Crown Court in Coleraine.
Following his sudden death Judge Neil Rafferty K.C. discharged the jury.
In court on Friday Judge Rafferty said a coroner had directed that an inquest should be held into the circumstances of Mr Creswell’s death. He said he would also have to hear evidence from a police officer who knew Mr Creswell and who had attended the scene of his death.
Prosecution barrister David McNeill told the court “the position is a death certificate will have to await the outcome of the inquest and that will take several months”.
The defendants are Rose De Montmorency-Wright, 23, from Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, Hayley Rob, 30, from Weavers Row in Banbridge and Jill Robinson, 42, from Blackfort Road in Omagh.
De Montmorency-Wright has pleaded guilty to withholding information about the alleged murder on dates between October 9, 2020 and October 13, 2021.
Robb pleaded guilty to the same charge and she has also pleaded guilty to intent to pervert the course of justice by taking and washing clothes belonging to Jonathan Creswell on August 3, 2020 and guilty to cleaning blood at his home.
Robinson has also pleaded to intending to pervert the course of justice by taking and washing clothes belonging to Mr Creswell on August 3, 2020.
Judge Rafferty said he would sentence the three co-defendants on May 31 and he ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports for that date.
The prosecution said some victim impact statements would also be ready for that date