A trainee psychologist died from a cocktail of drink and drugs as she celebrated landing her first job – helping drug users.
Jennifer Whiteley, 27, had a pint of vodka and orange then took “bombs” of a legal high called Benzo Fury , which was banned just after her death. Her boyfriend, who told her inquest he bought the drug on the net, said she then took cocaine, turned red and started sweating. Andrew Tunnah said he tried to put her in the shower to cool her down at her parents’ home in Sale, Greater Manchester, and then called an ambulance.
Medics found her unconscious and twitching in the bathroom at 5.51am last July and rushed her to hospital but she died soon afterwards. Just days before her death Jennifer, who had a masters degree in health psychology, was hired as a drug counsellor by an NHS Trust. Tests found nine different drugs in her system.
Toxicologist Julie Evans said: “All these put a lot of strain on the heart. Benzo Fury can cause neurological problems and raise body temperature dangerously, as well as increase blood pressure and risk of seizure.” Benzo Fury was outlawed over health fears.
South Manchester coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded a misadventure verdict and said: “You can’t know the potential impact of these designer drugs.”
