Double Tragedy Strikes as Teen Discovers Girlfriend's Body, Then Dies Weeks Later
A heartbreaking double tragedy has unfolded after a teenager who discovered his girlfriend's body in her university bedroom was found dead himself just weeks later. Tom Dingle, a 19-year-old from Appley Bridge in West Lancashire, was reported missing on December 13 last year before his body was discovered by a dog walker in woodland near Dalton on Christmas Day.
Discovery of Girlfriend's Body
An inquest this week heard that Tom had found his girlfriend, Natasha Braithwaite, dead in her room at Lancaster University's Bowland College on November 20. Natasha, also 19, was a first-year fine art student originally from Lincoln who had only recently begun her university course.
Friends described Natasha as "a sweet, artistic and talented girl" who had appeared excited about starting university and was making future plans, including compiling her Christmas list. She had recently begun a relationship with Tom, with friends characterizing the pair as "inseparable."
The Night Before Natasha's Death
During the inquest into Natasha's death at Preston Crown Court on March 10, it emerged that Tom, who also studied at Lancaster University, had arranged to see her the night before her death but fell asleep. When he awoke and couldn't reach her by phone, he went to her halls of residence and, with help from her flatmates, gained access to her room where they found her unresponsive in bed.
Paramedics rushed to the scene, but Natasha was pronounced dead upon arrival. The inquest heard she had been grappling with post-traumatic stress following an incident while in Abu Dhabi the previous December.
Drug-Related Death Verdict
Toxicology reports showed Natasha had lethal levels of morphine in her body when she died. Assistant Coroner Sara Sutherland, summarizing findings from a clinical scientist, stated: "The concentration of total morphine; that is morphine and its metabolites, is within the range encountered in fatalities attributed to the use of morphine. The compound taken in this case is likely to be heroin."
Detective Constable Kirsten Bell said paraphernalia discovered in Natasha's room was thought to be connected to heroin use. The coroner delivered a verdict of a drug-related death, stating: "I have no doubt that Natasha was well-liked, extremely well-loved and would have been successful at uni. It is absolutely tragic."
Heartfelt Tributes to Both Young Lives
In an online book of condolence set up by Lancaster University after Natasha's death, a flatmate wrote: "I truly don't think I've ever met a soul as beautiful, gentle, and caring as hers. She always greeted me with the warmest smile and I will forever cherish the little moments we shared."
A childhood friend added: "Natasha was such a huge part of my early life. Her friendship and the bond we had truly shaped my childhood and who I am today. She is a true friend and a beautiful human-being, inside and out."
Tom's family paid tribute in a written statement, saying: "Tom was an incredibly intelligent and caring young man who had his whole life ahead of him. Tom's death has left a hole in our hearts which will never be filled. Christmas, and life as a whole, will never be the same without our Tom."
University Community Mourns
Bowland College at Lancaster University, where Tom was studying, also paid tribute on social media. A spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to share that a tragic update has been provided by Lancashire Constabulary in relation to the search for the missing Bowland College first year student Tom Dingle. His death will be a tremendous loss to friends and staff members who had the privilege to get to know him."
Tom had given a statement to officers about Natasha weeks before his own death, explaining how the couple had met at a fresher's night and describing her as "a very kind girl who was extroverted."
An inquest into Tom's death began in January, with a conclusive inquest scheduled to take place at Preston Crown Court on April 9. The double tragedy has left both families and the university community devastated by the loss of two promising young lives within weeks of each other.
