Caroline Flack took an overdose the night before she died, friends of the late TV presenter have told the inquest into her death.
Louise Teasdale and Mollie Grosberg said the Love Island presenter refused advice from paramedics to go to hospital after they found her losing consciousness with tablets lying nearby at her north London flat.
Paramedic Tony Rumore told coroner Mary Hassell on Wednesday: “We asked Caroline if her intention was to harm or kill herself. She said it was merely an attempt to sleep and escape from the stresses she was under.”
The two friends said they stayed at Flack’s overnight but left the following morning because Flack was upset with them for calling an ambulance.
Flack, 40, was found dead in her flat later that day on 15 February.
Flack had been set to face trial in March over allegations that she had assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton, an allegation she denied.
She stepped down from her role as ITV’s Love Island presenter following the allegations.
Earlier in the inquest, Flack’s twin sister Jody accused the press and public of hounding the late TV presenter and finding it “very entertaining”.
Flack’s mother Chris also accused the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of pursuing a “show trial” based on her celebrity.
Giving tearful evidence over video, she said: “I believe Caroline was seriously let down by the authorities and in particular the CPS for pursuing the case.
“I believe this was a show trial.
“Being well known should not allow special treatment, but should not allow making an example of someone.”
It also emerged that Jody tried to revive her sister by performing CPR after she was found.
The inquest at Poplar Coroner’s Court continues.
You can contact the Samaritans helpline by calling 116 123. The helpline is free and open 24 hours a day every day of the year.
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