The reason behind the death of Peaches Geldof that many of us suspected, has been confirmed by a coroner following a hearing of findings from various experts and personal testimonies. The ruling?
Heroin overdose. It was found that although the young journalist was attempting to fight her addiction with medical treatment and counselling, she was struggling to come off the prescription drug used as a temporary substitute for heroin and had recently been using the drug again. With her tolerance for the drug lower than when she was a regular user, the potential for overdose was higher and probably not intentional.
Describing the scene of Geldof’s death, [Paul] Fotheringham [, the coroner who ruled on her death,] said: “The presence of the tied tights as a possible tourniquet, burnt spoon, cotton bud end and used syringe in close proximity to Peaches’ body suggests that heroin has been partly prepared and consumed at some time in the room Peaches was found.
“The pathologist states cause of death to be opiate intoxication. When considering all of the above information, I, as the senior investigating officer, conclude that Peaches Geldof-Cohen died of a heroin overdose.”
A postmortem examination carried out at Darenth Valley hospital found a puncture mark on the front of her right elbow and another at the front of her right thigh.
Old puncture marks were also found on her left thigh, the inquest was told.
The coroner concluded that Geldof’s death had been drug-related. Summing up, he said: “There is no indication that Peaches intended to take her own life or harm herself in any way … Someone who stops or ceases to use heroin then resumes is less able to tolerate the levels they previously had.”
He said that the large amount of drugs paraphernalia found in her home made it clear that she was taking heroin, but that her tolerance levels had declined.
“It has been said this is a case of history repeating itself. But this is not entirely so,” he said, referring to the death of Geldof’s mother Paula Yates, who also died of a heroin overdose.
“By November last year she had ceased to take heroin as a result of the considerable treatment and counselling that she had received.
“This was a significant achievement for her but, for reasons we will never know, prior to her death she returned to taking heroin, with the fatal consequences that we have heard here today.
Seems conclusive enough. Check out the full report at The Guardian
