A Scots nurse who was found unresponsive by her partner at her home died after an accidental overdose of prescribed medication, an inquest has found.
Danielle Mather, 33, was discovered by her partner, who performed CPR on whilst dialling 999 and speaking to a responder.
The 34-year-old partner was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder by police after officers found discrepancies in what he had said to them.
The Glasgow born nurse didn’t respond to treatment and died the following day in hospital.
Police therefore carried out a full investigation into what caused her death, however, a coroner has confirmed that Danielle died from there was no third party involvement.
An inquest heard paramedics were called to Danielle’s home in South Walk, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent on November 12, 2020. She was in cardiac arrest and her partner was giving CPR while speaking to a 999 call handler.
Paramedics managed to resuscitate her and she was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, according to Stoke-on-Trent Live.
DC Bleaze Johnson, from Staffordshire Police CID, said police were called in by paramedics. “The police were contacted due to discrepancies in what Danielle’s partner said,” said DC Johnson. “He was arrested at the time for attempted murder. At that point, it was passed to CID.”
The inquest heard police examined the house and conducted inquiries with neighbours. Following Danielle’s death, a forensic post-mortem examination was carried out.
It revealed the cause of her death was a brain injury caused by her cardiac arrest. That had been caused by a combination of the sedative effect of various medication she had taken - which was found at levels higher than usual therapeutic use - and aspiration, which means she had inhaled vomit into her airways, causing pneumonia.
DC Johnson said: “The conclusion was there was no criminal involvement in her death. Unfortunately, due to the combination of medication she was taking, she suffered a cardiac arrest.”
Danielle was born in Glasgow and initially worked as a carer before completing a nursing degree. She was separated from her husband and had been seeing her partner for several months.
She suffered from anxiety and depression, but had been offered a new job shortly before she died.
North Staffordshire assistant coroner Sarah Murphy concluded Danielle’s death was drug-related.
She said: “It is clear Danielle was a very capable and intelligent lady who had found her niche in life caring for people. She was able to apply herself to get a nursing degree which is no mean feat.
“It makes her death all the more tragic. She died too soon.”
Danielle’s family previously released a tribute to her. They said: “Danielle was a kind, outgoing and loving person who listened to anybody who needed the time.
“She had travelled various parts of the world and later settled down in Stoke-on-Trent after studying at university.
“She will be sorely missed by family and friends and leaves a huge hole in our lives.”
