A mother of three was discovered deceased in her partner’s bed after unintentionally overdosing on pain relief medication while struggling with chronic back pain. Amie Barnes, 37, was awaiting spinal surgery and had taken the pills to alleviate the discomfort before undergoing the procedure. The couple had shared wine and a meal before retiring to bed at their residence in Lancashire.
The next morning, her partner, Jack, bid farewell to Amie before leaving for work. Upon his return, he found her lifeless in bed. Emergency services responded to the scene, initially treating her death as suspicious due to facial injuries and blood present. However, it was later determined that the injuries were caused by Amie inadvertently falling asleep with her vape, as reported by LancsLive.
A post mortem CT scan did not reveal a natural cause of death, but toxicology tests indicated that the midwife, who worked at hospitals in Blackpool and Preston, had consumed multiple painkillers and a small amount of alcohol before her passing.
During the inquest at Preston Coroners’ Court, Assistant Coroner Richard Taylor stated that while the painkillers alone may not have been fatal, their combined effects could have led to significant sedation, potentially resulting in Amie’s death.
Amie had sought medical attention multiple times in the months leading up to her demise for chronic back pain management while awaiting spinal surgery. Authorities, including Detective Sergeant Jamie Robinson from Blackpool Police, ruled out any foul play in the investigation.
The coroner concluded that the incident was a misadventure, explaining that it appeared unintentional and was the unintended consequence of Amie’s actions. The verdict highlighted the possibility that she had ingested more painkillers than advisable due to the pain she was experiencing, coupled with alcohol consumption.