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King’s Lynn woman Emma-Louise Cohen died after drug overdose, inquest hears




A woman died a drug-related death following years battling mental health issues and addiction.

At Norfolk Coroner’s Court yesterday, area coroner Samantha Goward ruled that Emma-Louise Cohen died at her Lynn home due to combined drug toxicity, causing respiratory depression.

She passed away in May last year at the age of 41, with high levels of codeine, methadone and zopiclone found in her system - as well as cocaine and diazepam.

Emma-Louise Cohen’s inquest took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Wednesday
Emma-Louise Cohen’s inquest took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Wednesday

A statement from her sister Angela read aloud at the inquest said she was “not a bad person”, and despite being addicted to crack cocaine she had been clean for around eight weeks prior to her death.

Emma-Louise was bipolar, and also suffered with anxiety, PTSD, and an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

She had also experienced seizures, and had a brain bleed in the period before she died.

The inquest heard that Emma-Louise was last seen alive on May 3, and was discovered by a friend who visited her flat. She was not found until May 11.

Her body remained in a sitting position on a couch in her living room. Investigations revealed no signs of trauma, and her phone and purse remained close by.

Various packets of prescription medication were located close to her body, and ambulance crews said she displayed “unequivocal signs of death”.

A statement from one of Emma-Louise’s friends said: “When she didn’t have any money, she would often take her medication and sleep the day away.”

Another said: “She had a bad crack habit. She was one for excess - never one for small quantities.”

Angela said she believed Emma-Louise had committed to breaking her drug habit and was attending regular sessions with the Lynn-based Change, Grow, Live charity.

However, Ms Goward said the “combined sedative effect” of the various drugs in her system last May would have caused her death.

“She obviously wanted, on many occasions, to get help - and she kept trying,” the coroner added.

“It is clear that the family support was there.

“Based on the evidence, the medical cause of death I will accept as given by the pathologist as combined drug toxicity.

“There is no suggestion that this was deliberate. The most appropriate conclusion seems to be accidental.”



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