Home   Maidstone   News   Article

Friend of Alicia De Waele from Maidstone to fight for warnings on antidepressants following inquest

The friend of a woman who died after taking a fatal cocktail of drugs says he will do all he can to warn others about the dangers of mixing substances.

Alicia Havelock De-Waele, a sales executive from Maidstone, passed away in a flat in Hart Street in March.

Alicia Havelock-De Waele and Mark Allan
Alicia Havelock-De Waele and Mark Allan

An inquest into her death at County Hall earlier this month heard she had been staying with Marcel Bailey, her partner of three months.

He woke up and was surprised she was not in bed. He then went into the living room and found her lifeless on the sofa.

Police and ambulance crews arrived but despite their best efforts, they were unable to save her.

A toxicology report found Miss Havelock De-Waele, who had been staying at Outreach Women’s Refuge in Maidstone, died after taking a fatal dose of antidepressants and morphine.

Mike Williams, the on duty detective sergeant said when he arrived at the flat in Wallis Place, he found no evidence of drug misuse within the property.

County Hall, Maidstone
County Hall, Maidstone

He also said there was no suggestion from her phone that she tried to commit suicide, or that she came into harm.

No criminal charges were pursued.

Mental health nurse Alison Sweeney, from Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust, had been seeing Miss Havelock De-Waele in the months before her death.

Miss Havelock De-Waele explained to her she had quite a difficult life and spent time in foster care during her childhood.

She also reported a long history of abuse in previous relationships and felt her drinks were being spiked.

Plaque for the connect bench Picture: Mark Allan
Plaque for the connect bench Picture: Mark Allan

Ms Sweeney said: "It was clear she didn't feel safe and she had felt that way through life."

Summing up the inquest, coroner Ian Brownhill said: "She died on March 4 in the living room.

"The evidence as to how is more difficult. She reported to medical professionals that she had used drugs.

"There was no evidence from either the GP or Alison Sweeney that there was a prescription [for either drug].

"We heard evidence from Mike Williams who was not able to find drug paraphernalia when he searched the address.

"I’m trying to turn something very sad into something positive because it's the only way I can deal with it..."

"He was surprised no history of past drug use was recorded. The medical cause of death is toxic drug consumption.

"Whether this consumption was intentional or not cannot be established."

Miss Havelock De-Waele's close friend Mark Allan, who has set up community interest company Connect Point in her memory, said he is fighting for antidepressants to come with more obvious warnings.

He said: "It's just sad because I feel let down. To just leave it as drug misuse forever and beyond, it will just be like she went to a party and took too much.

"There’s no way in a million years she would knowingly take that concoction of drugs.

"I genuinely believe the seriousness of morphine and antidepressants means there needs to be a big warning across it saying taking morphine with this tablet is lethal because I would never have known that before. I'm going to fight to change this."

The pair met on a night out five years ago and had been close friends ever since.

The Connect Point Project will see plaques with QR codes deployed around Maidstone which will direct users to an array of mental health organisations and social media groups which can support those who feel lonely.

The 40-year-old added: "I’m trying to turn something very sad into something positive because it's the only way I can deal with it.

"She might not be here but through the Connect Point Project she will never be forgotten."

It is hoped the website will be ready to launch next month.

For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More