A "friendly and hard working" pastry chef went to sleep and never woke up.
Cara Danielle Moroney, 34, died suddenly at her flat in Waterloo Warehouse on Waterloo Road, Liverpool, on January 3. The 34-year-old, originally from Burnley, had started working at Lerpwl on Albert Dock in April last year, where her colleagues said she became known for her "hard work", "dedication" and "mischievous grin."
An inquest into her death was held today, April 29, at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool. Senior coroner Andre Rebello recorded her death as accidental.
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Mr Rebello said Miss Moroney was pronounced dead by paramedics at her home in Waterloo Warehouse at 8.39am on January 3. Referring to the conclusions made by senior forensic pathologist Dr Megan Jenkins based on toxicology samples, the coroner said Ms Moroney was found to have certain medications in her body including antidepressants, which were all at "high levels which appeared to be above therapeutic levels."
Mr Rebello said he was satisfied that Miss Moroney took this medication herself "possibly whilst feeling low." However, he said "I've got no evidence that she intended to cause herself any harm. I'm going to find that this is an accidental death."
Mr Rebello added: "Only Cara could explain the circumstances in which this medication was taken in excess of the prescribed levels. She has gone to sleep, she has gone into a coma in her sleep, and she has stopped breathing in her sleep.
"Clearly, Cara would have not suffered at all and she wouldn't have known anything whatsoever about her death and clearly it's now important to celebrate her life."
Paying tribute to Miss Monorey following her death in January, Ellis Barrie, owner of Lerpwl, and his team said Cara had grown into a "blossoming tulip" from a "shy, timid being" during her time working at the restaurant.
The full tribute said: "It’s with great upset, grief and happy memories that I write this letter. Unfortunately on Monday morning January 3, 2022 we lost Cara from our restaurant family. She passed away for unknown reasons in her home with her partner David.
"I’m sure we can all agree that she will be a missed member of the family as we could always rely on her hard work, dedication, subtle backing vocals to Jack and a great acceptance/ distribution of good quality kitchen banter. Cara started working with us in April 2021, with no restaurant or commercial kitchen experience.
"I feel personally she has come on leaps and bounds in the 8 months she has been with us. We relied on her, above her position, when times were rocky. It's fair to say she got us through some tough services.
"One of her greatest achievements was the growth in her confidence and self belief. She grew out of her shy, timid being, into a blossoming tulip who could converse yearningly and naturally with our customers, in a true 'Total hospitality' Lerpwl manner.
"Her subtle dance moves, backing vocals and spinning around the kitchen along with that mischievous grin and eyebrow raise she would deliver whilst shuffling past with haste will be greatly missed. Cara was on her way to becoming a great asset to hospitality and I hope her spirit finds a path into the success of our futures.
"Rest in Peace Cara." People also paid tribute to Cara on social media and sent condolences to her family and friends.
One person said: "Sorry to hear this. Cara served one of our courses when we recently dined at Lerwpl. She was very friendly and enthusiastic. Sad loss to the team. Thoughts with friends and family."
Another added: "So sorry to hear this. Cara served one of the dishes when we recently dined with you. She was such a lovely person and a credit to Lerpwl. Condolences to you and her family."
