A young woman was found dead by her friend after a night out, an inquest has been told.

Leanne Lilley was just 30 years old when a friend found her dead on the sofa after she had stayed with her following a night out.

An inquest held at Burton Town Hall on Wednesday, April 10, heard she had a history of psychiatric problems and was found dead after suffering heroin poisoning.

It was reported that Ms Lilley, of Rosliston Road, Stapenhill,  had been suffering with depression, as well as facing problems at work and relationship issues.

South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh said said Ms Lilley's family had said she was not known to have been a user of heroin, although they had known of her using "softer" drugs in the past.

A toxicology report stated that Ms Lilley had 37mgs of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which is around half the legal driving limit, traces of cocaine and a large amount of heroin in her system when she died on October 21, 2018.

The inquest was held at Burton Town Hall

Her cause of death was given as aspiration of gastric contents, caused by heroin poisoning.

Detective Constable Laura Turner attended the scene after a 999 call was made by Ms Lilley's friend.

She gave evidence at the inquest and said, after questioning a number of Ms Lilley's friends, she had determined that a group had been drinking in Burton. Between 10.30pm and 11pm on the evening before her death, they had decided to return to a friend's house in Long Street, Stapenhill, and continued to drink alcohol.

At around 2am, two of Ms Lilley's friends helped to put her to sleep on a sofa downstairs in her friend's house, and she was responsive, although very drunk, at this time.

At around 5am, Ms Lilley's friend went to the toilet and saw her asleep on the sofa, and said she was snoring in her sleep.

However, when she went downstairs again at around 11am, she found Ms Lilley's body.

DC Turner added: "There is no suggestion that Leanne had taken these drugs unwillingly - such as being spiked or forced to take them - and there was no evidence of drug use at the house.

"We have questioned several people in regards to the death and enquiries are still ongoing into the matter."


In summing up Mr Haigh said: "Leanne had a history of psychiatric problems and problems in her life. Her family had no major concerns about her in the time leading up to her death and they were not aware of any heroin use in the past.

"From police evidence, there is no suggestion that Leanne did not take the drugs herself. From post-mortem and toxicology reports, one would suggest that she had taken some drugs beforehand, possibly the evening before her death, but she may have also taken a 'top-up' a short time before she died."

He recorded a verdict that her death was drugs-related.

Where to get help for drugs

The NHS states that your GP is a good place to start. They can discuss your problems with you and get you into treatment.



Support website, Frank, can be used to find local drug treatment services, and is available by visiting www.talktofrank.com
