A teenager who discovered his girlfriend's body in her university accommodation died just weeks later on Christmas Day, an inquest has heard. Tom Dingle, 19, from Appley Bridge in West Lancashire, was reported missing on December 13 last year. His body was found by a dog walker in woodland in Dalton on December 25.
Just weeks earlier, on November 20, Tom had found his girlfriend Natasha Braithwaite, also 19, dead in her room at Bowland College, Lancaster University. The inquest into Natasha's death at Preston Crown Court on March 10 heard that Tom had arranged to see her the night before but fell asleep. When he could not reach her, he went to her halls and gained access with her flatmates, finding her unresponsive.
Paramedics attended but Natasha was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology reports revealed lethal levels of morphine in her body, with a clinical scientist stating the compound was likely heroin. Assistant Coroner Sara Sutherland delivered a verdict of a drug-related death, noting Natasha had been grappling with post-traumatic stress following an incident in Abu Dhabi the previous December.
In a family statement, Natasha was described as excited about university and recently in a relationship with Tom, with friends calling the pair 'inseparable'. Tom had given a statement to police about Natasha, describing her as 'a very kind girl who was extroverted'.
An inquest into Tom's death began in January, with a conclusive hearing set for April 9. In a tribute, his family said: '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.'
