University Tragedy: Student's Drug-Related Death Followed by Boyfriend's Suicide
A coroner has ruled that the death of a 19-year-old fine art student at Lancaster University was drug-related, in a heartbreaking case that saw her boyfriend take his own life just a month later. The inquest into Natasha Braithwaite's death heard tragic details of the events leading up to and following her passing.
Discovery and Investigation
Natasha Braithwaite was discovered unresponsive in her dorm room at Bowland College, Lancaster University, on November 20 last year. Paramedics were called to the scene, but she was pronounced dead there. Her boyfriend, Tom Dingle, also 19 and a first-year philosophy student at the same university, had raised the alarm after being unable to contact her that day.
Detective Constable Kirsten Bell from Lancashire Police told the inquest that investigators found 'a metal spoon taped to her desk which indicated it had been used for heroin' in Ms Braithwaite's university bedroom. Toxicology tests later revealed she had fatal levels of morphine in her system.
Coroner's Verdict and Tributes
Assistant coroner Sara Sutherland returned a verdict of drug-related death, stating: 'I have no doubt that Natasha was well-liked, extremely well-loved and would have been successful at uni. It is absolutely tragic.'
A family statement read out during the hearing described Natasha as 'excited' to be attending university. She had made plans for the future, including writing her Christmas list, and had recently begun a relationship with Tom Dingle. Friends of the couple described them as 'inseparable.'
Tributes poured in from family and friends, remembering Natasha as 'bubbly and bright' as well as 'sweet, artistic and talented.' One friend posted in an online condolence book: 'Tasha is the only person I've ever met that has a truly bubbly personality. Funny, compassionate, and so so strong.' Another wrote: 'She was a sweet, artistic, and talented girl and my friends and I will be forever saddened by her loss.'
Boyfriend's Tragic Death
The inquest heard that Tom Dingle had made plans to see Natasha the night before her death but fell asleep. After discovering her body, he provided a statement to police, describing her as 'a very kind girl who was extroverted.' The couple had met at a Fresher's night.
Tragically, Mr Dingle was found dead in woodland in Dalton, west Lancashire, on Christmas Day last year. He had last been seen shortly after midnight on December 13, prompting missing person appeals. An inquest into his death was opened on January 9 this year and is expected to resume in April.
His family said in a statement: 'Tom's death has left a hole in our hearts which will never be filled. Christmas, and life as a whole, will never be the same without our Tom.' They described him as 'an incredibly intelligent and caring young man who had his whole life ahead of him.'
Mental Health Background
The hearing into Ms Braithwaite's death revealed that she had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following an incident during a visit to Abu Dhabi the previous December. This context adds to the complexity of the tragedy, highlighting potential mental health struggles.
Friends remembered Tom Dingle fondly in online tributes. One wrote: 'Tom was one of the first friends I made at university, he was a great friend who didn’t fail to make me smile.' Another described him as 'a bright and passionate person' with 'a wicked sense of humour.'
The dual tragedies have left the university community and families devastated, with both young students remembered for their kindness, talent, and potential. The cases underscore serious issues surrounding drug use and mental health among university students.
