Investigation and inquest
On 8 June 2015 I opened an Inquest into the death of Anna Phillips aged 20 which concluded after a two day hearing on 25 January 2017. The medical cause of death was given as;1a) Overdose of 2,4 Dinitrophenol and I recorded a conclusion of Suicide.
Circumstances of the death
Anna suffered from mental illness. In November 2014 she suspended her medical studies following a psychotic episode and was taken onto the case load of the Early Intervention Team in Cornwall.
In March 2015 she took an overdose and was admitted into Southampton. Following a period of assessment she was again discharged to Cornwall under the care first of the Home Treatment Team and secondly the Community Mental Health Team.
On 7 April 2015 Anna was detained under Section 136 of the MHA after a member of the public restrained her from jumping off a cliff at Falmouth Docks.
On 1 June 2015 Anna took an overdose. She was admitted into Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Sadly, her condition deteriorated and she died later that day.
Coroner’s concerns
Anna took an overdose of a drug called 2,4 Dinitrophenol. This is a compound that I heard is used as an unlicensed weight loss drug. It has been associated with several fatalities in the past and I attach in that regard a report from ████████ with a reference to a relevant article.
Police Investigations revealed that Anna had obtained this drug over the internet from Turkey. It was brought into the country by Royal Mail.