LETHAL DRUGS COCKTAIL KILLED TRAGIC MUM
DEATH OF WOMAN’S PARENTS WORSENED HER MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PROBLEMS
A GRIMSBY woman who died after taking a cocktail of drugs was a loving grandmother who was driven to substance abuse by the loss of her own parents.
Lisa Payne, 47, was found dead on a flat floor after taking lethal levels of drugs and alcohol. She had visited the flat which was regularly used as a drug den on Hamilton Street on May 13 2020.
Her tragic death came on the same night as that of her close friend Leon Pearce, which happened in a separate house and was also thought to be drug-related. The bubbly Grimsby woman, who lived on Mansel Street, had struggled with drug use for years. She also suffered COPD and a heart issue which may have contributed to her death.
She was found by her long-term partner, who called an ambulance, in the early hours of May 14. Tests revealed she had taken methadone, cocaine, heroin, painkillers and anti-depressants. A post-mortem examination found that Lisa had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an artery into her heart was 60 per cent blocked in places. A coroner’s court inquest into her death yesterday heard that Lisa’s mental health had declined after her own mum and dad passed away, but she remained devoted to her family despite her issues.
Lisa’s daughter Jade Payne told the inquest: “My mum and I were very close. She gave me a happy childhood, and we phoned or text every day. I knew she struggled after her dad died when I was three. Then my nana died a few years ago, and her depression got worse. She was drinking alcohol and taking drugs more.
“She would send me messages in the middle of the night saying she couldn’t cope. She would sometimes turn up at the house and I would have to talk her through it.
“I couldn’t discuss her drug taking with her. She was ashamed of what she was doing, and it broke my heart to see her doing it.” Lisa had attended drug rehabilitation programmes, but found it
You stood by her throughout her drug use, which couldn’t have been easy, and created a positive relationship between her and her grandchildren I hope you can hold onto the memories of those happier times
Assistant Coroner for North East Lincolnshire Jane Eatock to Jade Payne
difficult to break the vicious cycle between her drug use and mental health problems.
Police who investigated Lisa’s death found drug paraphernalia and other drug users in the flat.
They didn’t find any indications that Lisa had intentionally taken an overdose or that her death was suspicious.
Lisa’s partner told police at the time that they had gone to the flat to watch a DVD, although her daughter said that she didn’t know anyone at the address. Assistant Coroner for North East Lincolnshire Jane Eatock said:
“Regrettably, Lisa was a chronic drug user and a potentially lethal combination of drugs were found in her system.
“Her heart issues and COPD would have made the impact of the drugs even worse.
“She started life in a positive way, and was a sociable woman with close relations with her parents and enjoyed dancing.
“She was devoted to her daughter, who she brought up as best she could.
“However, she had a difficult and troubled life in recent years. Knocks affected her mental health.”
She added to Jade: “You stood by her throughout her drug use, which couldn’t have been easy, and created a positive relationship between her and her grandchildren.
“I hope you can hold onto the memories of those happier times.”
The cause of Lisa’s death was ruled by the coroner as drug related.