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Student Death Tragedy: Boyfriend's Suicide Follows
12 Mar
Summary
- A student died in her dorm room before her boyfriend's death.
- Her death was ruled a drug-related incident involving morphine.
- Weeks later, her boyfriend tragically took his own life.
A profound tragedy has befallen Lancaster University following the death of 19-year-old fine art student Natasha Braithwaite. She was discovered unresponsive in her Bowland College dorm room on November 20 last year. An inquest at Preston Coroners' Court concluded her death was drug-related, citing fatal levels of morphine consistent with heroin use.
Natasha had been battling post-traumatic stress disorder. Just weeks after her passing, her boyfriend, Tom Dingle, died by suicide on Christmas Day near Dalton in West Lancashire. Detectives found evidence in Natasha's room suggesting heroin use, including a spoon taped to her desk.
Friends and flatmates have shared moving tributes, describing Natasha as "bubbly," "sweet," "artistic," and "talented." Her boyfriend, Tom, was remembered as "bright" and "passionate," with a contagious laugh and a kind nature. An inquest into Tom's death is ongoing.
