NATASHA JENNIFER IRENE CRABB · Prevention of Future Deaths report

An investigation into the death of Natasha Jennifer Irene Crabb was opened on the 6ᵗʰ July 2018. The inquest was opened on the 3ʳᵈ October 2018, resumed with a jury on the 22ⁿᵈ February 2021 and concluded on the 11ᵗʰ March 2021. The jury concluded that Natasha died on the 29ᵗʰ June 2018 at Princess Gardens, Woking, Surrey and that the medical cause of her death was;

1a Fatal Heart Arrhythmia

1b Hydrocarbon Gas Inhalation

II Myocardial Fibrosis

The jury concluded that she died of an accident.

The jury found that Natasha Jennifer Irene Crabb had a history of substance abuse and a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. She was released from prison into an agreed address and a plan was made for her to be in contact with agencies to manage her dependencies.

Natasha began abusing butane very quickly after her release from prison. From 26th to 29th June 2018, Natasha came into contact with the Police, Ambulance and Hospital services.

On 29th June 218 Natasha was taken to St. Peters Hospital, was found to have capacity, and was informed that inhaling butane was harmful and could be fatal.

Natasha self-discharged from St. Peters Hospital without accepting treatment on the afternoon of 29th June 2018. Inhaling butane is lawful and there are no legal powers to prevent a person with capacity inhaling butane nor to remove butane from them.

Natasha continued to inhale butane gas after leaving hospital and collapsed and died at Princess Gardens, Woking that evening.

The evidence showed that:

1. Inhaling butane is lawful and there are no legal powers to prevent a person with capacity inhaling butane nor to remove butane from them. The effects of inhalation can be fatal.

2. There is no restriction on the amount of butane gas that can be purchased making it easy for a person addicted to inhaling butane gas to obtain large amounts of the gas at one time.