The inquest into Caroline Flack’s death has revealed the presenter took “a small drug overdose” – two months before her tragic passing.
The Love Island host was sadly found dead at her North London home on February 15, at the age of 40.
Witness statements resumed today in London’s Poplar Coroner’s Court, after a four-minute hearing was previously opened and adjourned on February 19th.
In court today, psychiatrist Dr Brian Wells said he was alerted by Caroline’s management that she was “fully conscious although somewhat inebriated” following a drug overdose on December 22nd.
“I found a lady who was inebriated in bed, vomiting into a waste bin. There were others present being supportive. It transpired the client was Caroline,” Dr Wells told the court.
“She was due at Islington Magistrates Court the following morning and had become distressed – she drunk alcohol and impulsively taken a mixture of medications.”
He claimed that Caroline said she had “suicidal intent” and he recommended that Caroline should visit a hospital.
Caroline appeared in court the following day, where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
Caroline had been arrested earlier that month following a row with her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
In a written statement earlier today, Lewis said Caroline was “very upset, in fact devastated” the last time he saw her, and that she was “not in a good place emotionally”.
“What was worrying her most was the police case and losing her presenting job on Love Island, plus not being able to see me,” he added.
In a witness statement, Caroline’s twin sister Jodie also revealed that an ambulance had been called for the star four times before her death.
“Heartbreak is something Caroline found extremely difficult,” she said.
“She attempted to take her own life the night before she appeared in court. I believe the shame… was too much to deal with.”
Caroline was sadly found dead at her flat in London on February 15, months after she was arrested for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
It’s believed Caroline took her own life just hours after she was told she would face trial for the alleged assault – despite the fact that Lewis didn’t want to press charges.
A post-mortem examination found no traces of alcohol, but the presence of Zopiclone used for insomnia, and a therapeutic amount of Diazepam.
Following her death, the presenter’s management slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the ‘show trial’, knowing how vulnerable she was.
Shortly after her death, Caroline’s family also released an unpublished Instagram post the presenter wanted to share before she died.
In the heartfelt statement, the TV star denied being a “domestic abuser”, and said the incident between her and Lewis was simply an “accident”.
During today’s inquest, Caroline’s mother Christine once again slammed the CPS.
In a written statement, she said: “I believe Caroline was seriously let down by the authorities and in particular the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for pursuing the case.”
“I believe this was a show trial. I feel the prosecutor was unkind to Caroline and my family. I was threatened with arrest when I tried to speak.”
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