Double tragedy as grieving mum dies just six months after death of nine-year-old son
A GRIEVING mum tragically passed away just six months after the death of her nine-year-old son, an inquest heard.
Camilla Crofton had struggled to cope after Felix Stevens suffered a fatal asthma attack in November last year.
The mum had been prescribed medication to treat insomnia as she was having trouble sleeping.
An inquest heard on the night before her death, Camilla messaged a friend to say she “didn’t want to be here anymore”.
She later messaged to ask “are you up by any chance?”, Kent Online reports.
The pal raised the alarm and police discovered the mum unresponsive after forcing their way into her home in Ashford, Kent.
Tragically, Camilla couldn’t be saved and was declared dead at 9.30pm on May 23.
Police confirmed there was no third party involvement, with toxicology results showing a high amount of sedative medication in Camilla’s system.
The court heard the level was below what is considered fatal, but coroner Katrina Hepburn said “on the balance of probabilities” Camilla’s death was likely caused by toxicity of the prescription drug.
She ruled the school kitchen manager died from an unintentional overdose but said Camilla did not intend to take her own life.
Camilla had been left heartbroken by the death of football-mad son Felix, who passed away at the family home.
But her family told the inquest she had reassured them she was not planning on taking her own life during conversations about suicide.
Camilla’s diary also revealed she had beauty appointments booked and social events planned for the days after her death.
Coroner Ms Hepburn asked the family directly if they believed Camilla had ended her life.
Her mum, Kate Crofton, said: “Because of my conversations with her, although she talked about it and life was very difficult, she was adamant she wouldn’t do that.
“I certainly don’t feel she intended to.”
The coroner concluded Camilla had “understandably struggled to deal with” Felix’s death.
She added: “I am satisfied after my discussion with family attending today that although there were discussions about suicide, she had reassured family she didn’t intend to take her own life.
“It may have been a cry for help, and to contact a friend might have been to raise some help.
“We also know it was a sleeping medication, and it might have been to help her sleep as she had been up late the night before.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.