AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a baby at the centre of a murder investigation.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard six-week-old Malakai Watts died at Southampton General Hospital on February 6.

Malakai, of Knightwood Road, Hythe, was with mum Chelsea Cuthbertson when he was taken to hospital.

The brief hearing was told the cause of death was awaiting further investigation, and the inquest was adjourned by senior coroner Grahame Short to October 4.

As previously reported, police launched an investigation after being called to a ground floor flat in Knightwood Road in Hythe after a baby was found to be "seriously unwell".

Police later confirmed that two people had been arrested on suspicion of arrested murder, and following that Hampshire Constabulary issued an almost identical statement adding only that the baby has now died and asking people not to speculate on the circumstances.

The statement said: "We were called at 9.38am on February 2 by the ambulance service.

"The air ambulance was called but the baby was taken by road to Southampton General Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

"A 41-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. They have been released from custody but remain under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing."

The nature of the baby's illness was not disclosed. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman confirmed yesterday enquiries are still ongoing.

According to neighbours the flat at the centre of the investigation is occupied by a woman, her daughter and a set of twins born last month.

A woman living nearby said: “Someone I spoke to Saturday said an air ambulance had been in the area. Later on I saw a first responder vehicle and four police cars.

“The police were here 24/7 over the weekend and didn’t leave until Monday evening."

A neighbour added: “The police were everywhere. They carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area regarding a baby who was seriously ill. It’s very sad.”

Another Knightwood Road resident said the infant was taken to hospital and put on a life support machine.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) sent a co-responder, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.