Woman, 25, found dead at home after mum and dad took their own lives in triple tragedy
A WOMAN was found dead at home after her mum and dad took their own lives, an inquest heard.
Sophie Richardson had a “troubled childhood” and was taken into care aged 17 when her mum Cassie and dad died.
The 25-year-old turned to drugs and was known to use heroin, an inquest was told.
Sophie was found unresponsive by a friend at her home in Fleetwood, Lancashire, on May 22, Lancs Live reports.
At first police believed she had been attacked as she had several head injuries and there were rumours she was assaulted due to a theft from a known associate.
Sophie’s ex-partner was arrested but officers later concluded there was no evidence of any third party involvement.
Blood splatters found in her bedroom but ruled to have come from intravenous drug use, with paraphernalia also scattered around the room.
The court was told toxicology tests revealed Sophie had fatal levels of heroin in her system.
As she was found “curled round” the toilet, a pathologist concluded her injuries were likely caused by banging her head when she collapsed.
Detective Inspector Steven Montgomery said: “She unfortunately had quite a difficult life. She was in care as a child and she lost her mum and dad to suicide. When that happened she went into using drugs.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
“She had come into some money in the days prior to her death and knowing of her drug use, her buying drugs is likely to have been a course of action she would have taken due to what she had undergone previously in her life.”
Area Coroner Chris Long recorded a conclusion of drug-related death following the inquest.
He said: “Sophie Richardson died on May 22, 2023, at Edmondsen Place in Fleetwood.
“She had a history of drug use and died as a result of morphine and heroin toxicity.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.