Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

'Gorgeous' sister found dead at home after family struggled to contact her

A "gorgeous" sister and much-loved daughter was found dead in her bedroom days after her family struggled to contact her.

Leah Williams, 38, was found in her home on Brook Hey Drive, in Northwood, on Saturday, June 11 last year. Emergency services rushed to the address in Kirkby at around 5.30pm that evening but police later confirmed there had been "no suspicious activity".

An inquest into the death of the 38-year-old was held at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday where it was heard Leah was last seen alive on June 8. The hearing heard how on June 11, her family tried to contact her at her address around 4pm but there was no response.

READ MORE: Live updates as Kallum Radford charged over Ashley Dale murder appears in court

Arriving again shortly before 5.30pm that same day, they gained entry through a boarded up broken window. The property was otherwise secure and Leah was soon found in her bedroom. It was later confirmed there was "no evidence of suspicious activity".

Post-mortem results showed "high levels of cocaine" and therapeutic levels of prescribed drugs and there had been "evidence of drug use on the bedside table". The hearing heard how potential toxic effects from cocaine can include a raised heart rate, seizures and behavioural disturbances. Recording a cause of death as drug related at the short hearing, Coroner Julie Goulding confirmed Leah died from cocaine toxicity.

Leah was previously described as a "diamond and angel" who had a "heart of gold". Paying a loving tribute, her younger sister Natalie said: "My Leah, my sister. No words can explain the pain I feel.

"You are my sister and I need you back. Promise me you will look over me Leah. Gone too young, sleep tight gorgeous soul. Love your little sister, Natalie."

Tributes previously came pouring in for the Leah who had a "gorgeous soul" as dozens of flowers, balloons and candles were left outside her home. Flowers left outside her house contained handwritten notes that read: "Goodnight, god bless, cuz. We will love and miss you forever, young angel."

Another added: "We are so devastated, we all loved you. You were a lovely girl and so close to us all." Anne Gibbons said: "Rip Leah, you're going to be missed lovely, thinking of your family." Another commented: "Still can’t believe you’ve gone Leah. RIP beautiful."

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

READ NEXT:

Mum stabbed her husband in chest after trip to Costco

Man doused girlfriend's bed in turpentine and set it on fire as she lay in it

People can get a week in Lake District cottage for £77

'Middle man' in drug trade identified by pictures of girlfriend's dachshund Dennis

Merseyside's 'unsellable home' has been listed for years

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.