CAMERON Hamilton, who died in Bournemouth town centre over the weekend, was ‘stabbed’ in the chest, an inquest has heard. 

An inquest opened surrounding the death of the 18-year-old plumber from Bournemouth who was pronounced dead in the Square following a fight in the early hours of Saturday, August 5. 

Speaking at the opening held at Bournemouth Town Hall on Monday, August 7, coroner’s officer Nigel Underwood said: “On August 5, 2023, at 1.27am, a police officer on patrol became aware of an incident in the Square in Bournemouth.  

“Upon arrival, the police officer found Cameron Hamilton on the ground with significant injuries.

Read more: Bournemouth murder probe: family pay tribute to 'beautiful boy'

Bournemouth Echo: Flowers left for Cameron HamiltonFlowers left for Cameron Hamilton (Image: Daily Echo)

“Despite first aid attention from the officer and treatment by attending paramedics, Cameron was sadly pronounced deceased at 1.53am by paramedics.” 

Following his death, a post-mortem examination by Dr Amanda Jeffrey provided a provisional cause of death as one stab wound to the chest. 

Officers are continuing their investigations and two 18-year-olds from Portsmouth remain in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Two other men of the same age, one from Bournemouth and another from Poole, were released without charge for the offence of murder but remain under investigation for affray.

Bournemouth Echo:

Read more: Bournemouth murder probe: Tributes left for victim

Senior coroner for Dorset, Rachael Griffin, said: “Samples have been retained for the purposes of further examination and I will be ordering the retention of those samples until the conclusion of this investigation.” 

The inquest was adjourned for a pre-inquest review hearing to take place on February 2, 2024. 

Paying tribute to Cameron, his family said: “Cam is loved so much by his whole family, we ask that our privacy is respected at this devastating time. We have not lost our beautiful boy, he has been taken. 

“We don't want this to be what Cam is remembered for, we want him to be remembered for the funny, kind and wonderful person he is and always will be. 

“We would also like to thank all the police officers who attended the scene and were with Cam and all the people who have sent their condolences and wishes to the family.”