Suicide ruling over woman's death quashed at High Court

'NEW EVIDENCE'OVER BETHANY, 21

- DANNY HALPIN

A CORONER'S verdict that a 21-year-old Midland woman died by suicide after taking unlicensed slimming aid pills has been quashed at the High Court.

Bethany Shipsey died from the toxic effects of Dinitrophenol (DNP) on February 15, 2017 after going into cardiac arrest in hospital.

The senior coroner for Worcestershire later found it to be suicide and that there were “significant failings” in her care from Worcestershire Royal Hospital, but did not find this to be the cause of her death.

Miss Shipsey’s parents have always maintained that their daughter, who was described as an animal lover and animal rescuer, never intended to take her own life.

They brought legal action to the High Court seeking to remove part of the coroner’s conclusions that she had died intentionally.

Lady Justice Macur, sitting with Mrs Justice Hill, agreed, based on new evidence showing Miss Shipsey's social media use in the hours before her death.