A recent ruling by the High Court has overturned a coroner’s verdict that a Worcestershire woman, Bethany Shipsey, died by suicide after taking unlicensed slimming pills. The decision came after new evidence was presented, suggesting that it is “more likely than not” that the 21-year-old did not intend to take her own life when she ingested the toxic substance Dinitrophenol (DNP) on February 15, 2017, which ultimately led to her death from cardiac arrest.

Bethany Shipsey, who had a history of mental health issues, including an eating disorder and self-harming behaviours, was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital after taking a quantity of DNP pills. Her parents, Doug and Carole Shipsey, have always contended that their daughter had no intention of taking her own life. They initiated a legal challenge seeking to amend the inquest findings, which included the determination of suicide.

The Court, led by Lady Justice Macur and Mrs Justice Hill, ruled on Friday that the previous findings were unfair. Mrs Justice Hill noted in her judgement that a fresh investigation, considering the newly submitted evidence, could conclude that Bethany did not intend to end her life. Among the new evidence were social media messages sent by Bethany shortly before her death, indicating she had taken “herbal diet pills” and was preparing for activities with her pets, which contradicted the notion of a suicidal intent.

The family’s legal representation, Yogi Amin, stated that Bethany’s parents had made a commendable effort to reverse the initial suicide conclusion, highlighting their belief that she misunderstood the pills she had consumed. The High Court’s judgement not only quashed references to suicide but also included the Shipseys’ assertion that Bethany was unlawfully killed due to the consumption of the dangerous drugs sold online.

Following Bethany’s death, her parents campaigned for stricter regulations surrounding unlicensed pills like DNP, which has been linked to numerous fatalities. Despite their advocacy, Bethany’s father expressed disappointment regarding the lengthy process of seeking justice but felt vindicated by the court’s acknowledgment of their claims.

Overall, the judicial decision marks a significant development in the Shipsey family’s quest for an accurate understanding of Bethany’s death and has set a precedent for other families challenging coroner’s inquest conclusions. Mrs Justice Hill stated the ruling aims to provide some closure to the Shipsey family as they continue to grieve their daughter’s loss.

Source: Noah Wire Services