A 45-year-old woman's death 'involved a controlled poison', a pre-inquest review heard. Kelly Michelle Walsh’s death on February 27, 2021 was one of a number of cases relating to a poisonous chemicals that is becoming a ‘phenomenon’ not just in the UK but internationally, Bolton Coroner’s Court was told.
Senior coroner Timothy Brennand explained that the Atherton woman was one of a cluster of cases relating to this deadly chemical. The full-day inquest is scheduled to take place on February 7, 2023.
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A number of coronial investigations were put on hold following the death of Kelly and five others as Mr Brennand requested a police investigation into this chemical. Toxicological expert Dr Julie Evans, who spoke at a number of inquests, told the court how this particular chemical is used as part of a ‘suicide kit’ and is a growing trend - particularly around Greater Manchester.
The two-year long investigation from Greater Manchester Police has uncovered how this particular chemical, which the Manchester Evening News is not naming, had been purchased online by countless struggling individuals across the UK and internationally.
The packs were being bought from chemical companies - who have not been charged with criminal behaviour - on the advice of online forums. Detective inspector Andrew Wright told the court of how 45 confirmed deaths in the UK and Europe out of just over 200 people who bought the ‘suicide kit’ have come from just one chemical company.
There is a ‘potential’ that this number could be 60. As few as eight to nine per cent of the 200 buyers were using the chemical for ‘innocent reasons’.
DI Wright also explained that 53 lives, those who had bought the pack but not used it yet, have been saved because of this investigation.
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