A young man was tragically found deceased on Christmas Day after previously discovering his girlfriend’s lifeless body in her room, as revealed in an inquest.
The teenager, identified as Tom Dingle from Appley Bridge in West Lancashire, was reported missing on December 13. Lancashire Police initiated a search operation, leading to the discovery of his body in woodland in the nearby village of Dalton on December 25.
The inquest disclosed that the 19-year-old had found his girlfriend, Natasha Braithwaite, dead on November 20. Natasha, an undergraduate fine art student at Lancaster University, was found in her room at Bowland College just weeks into her course. Described by friends as a sweet and talented individual, Natasha had been struggling with post-traumatic stress and had lethal levels of morphine in her system.
Tom, who also attended the same university, had arranged to meet Natasha the night before her passing but fell asleep. Concerned when he couldn’t reach her, he went to her residence where she was found unresponsive in bed.
The inquest, held at Preston Crown Court, confirmed the cause of Natasha’s death as drug-related, particularly due to morphine usage. Tom’s family and the university community mourned the losses, remembering them as promising individuals with bright futures.
An investigation into Tom’s death is ongoing, with a final inquest scheduled for April 9. Both individuals were remembered fondly by their loved ones and peers, emphasizing their positive impact on those around them.