A 15-year-old girl was found dead in her bedroom surrounded by aerosol cans after confiding in a friend that she had tried sniffing the gas. Kacey Bartlett died as a result of inhalation of butane, an inquest has ruled.
The pupil was doing well at school and had just finished her mock exams. After her death, police spoke to a friend who said Kacey had bought aerosols to inhale for 'a high' and to make her feel better. He said he told her off and thought she had stopped doing it because she said she wouldn't do it again, reports DevonLive.
The friend said: "I don't believe she would commit suicide. She had great plans and was positive about the future."
In a statement, her grandmother Maggie Macmillan said Kacey had been living with her since December 2020 and was said to have not caused her any problems.
Kacey had been living with her grandmother in Devon during lockdown and died after a half-term visit back to London.
Mrs Macmillan said: "She had a lovely time and seemed on top of the world when she came back. She clearly enjoyed being back with her friend. It must have been a stark contrast to Tavistock, a rural town.
"She said before it was boring for her and she had nothing to do. I imagine it was the complete opposite of city life for her."
She added: "Nothing seemed to have changed. She seemed her usual happy self and was not low in mood or upset. The incident has left a hole in the centre of my life and I feel in complete shock."
Kacey was planning to pursue a career in health and social care and learn sign language. Her youth worker said: "She was mature beyond her years. She had lived a difficult life and her mum had a difficult life and was not getting the support she needed."
She added: "I was very shocked to learn of her death. She never made any suicidal ideations to me and seemed to have a plan for life and was working very hard to achieve it. I feel it was a very tragic accident and a life cut too short."
A member of staff at Kacey's school described her as having been a 'lovely bright young girl' and confirmed they had no previous concerns about her behaviour.
Recording a conclusion of accidental death, assistant coroner Luisa Nicholson said: "There is nothing in the evidence to suggest she inhaled aerosols as a means to end her life."
She continued: "Her death was a very unfortunate accident. The danger of inhaling aerosols cannot be underestimated."
Issuing a warning to others, she said: "I hope her death was not in vain and serves as a warning to other youngsters."
She concluded: "There is no such thing as a safe high."
