Coroner killed herself by drinking vial of morphine
INQUEST TOLD OF ALLEGATIONS MADE TO NEWSPAPER BY COLLEAGUE BEFORE DEATH
ONE of Greater Manchester’s most senior coroners intentionally took a fatal dose of morphine, days after being told a member of staff had made complaints about her to a newspaper, an inquest heard.
Professor Jennifer Leeming was appointed senior coroner for Manchester West, based in Bolton, in September 2001.
Her role saw her preside over hundreds of deaths and inquest hearings in Salford, Bolton and Wigan.
An inquest at Chester Coroner’s Court heard she was found dead by her husband Michael Turner at her home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on the morning of January 3 this year. She was 69.
Mrs Leeming had a history of heart palpitations and had been signed off sick with stress for a month by her GP on January 2, the court heard.
But Alan Moore, senior coroner for Cheshire, said toxicology reports made it clear Mrs Leeming had taken a huge overdose of morphine with the intention of ending her own life.
The court heard she had once told her close friend Fiona Murphy, a highly experienced nurse who received an MBE in 2016, that she had ‘a vial of morphine’ given to her by a retired doctor.
Mr Moore recorded a conclusion of suicide.
Giving evidence, Mrs Leeming’s friends and fellow coroners said that in the days before her death, they had become very concerned for her health. Acting area coroner Alan Walsh said Mrs Leeming had told of him of the ‘complaints and allegations’ made against her ‘direct to a local newspaper’ on December 21 last year. Mr Walsh said he believed the complaints were unfounded. The Manchester Evening News was not the local newspaper referred to in court.
“Up until December 21, she was her usual self,” Mr Walsh said. “Mrs Leeming came to see me at lunchtime. She told me she had been made aware earlier that morning by [coroner’s first officer] Gary Broome of complaints and allegations made by a member of staff to a local newspaper. “The council were not concerned about these complaints and gave her their full support.”
Mrs Leeming took annual leave over Christmas and New Year, spending time with her family, the court heard. Her husband Michael Turner said Coroner Alan Moore that during her time off, she discussed the ‘work-related matter’ but that he was not overly concerned.
However, on Sunday, December 30, he went into the office with Mr Leeming to speak to her boss Mr Walsh about her health, the court heard.
Mr Walsh told the court: “She had dramatically changed from how was was on December 21.
“She had become more concerned about the ongoing allegations. She was distressed and she was also very tired.”
On the night of January 2, Mr Turner said he recalled that he and Mrs Leeming listened to some music, chatted and had a glass of wine, before they went to bed early.
Mr Turner said he awoke around 7.30 the next morning and realised there was something ‘not right at all’ when his wife could not be roused, and dialled 999.
Paramedics attended the address and confirmed Mrs Leeming had died.
A coronial investigation was launched and the toxicology report found the cause of death to be morphine toxicity, the court heard.
Professor Robert Flanagan, giving evidence, said it was one of the highest concentrations of morphine toxicity he had ever seen, and that he believed the dose had been ingested orally.
In a statement, her friend Fiona Murphy, a senior associate nurse for end of life care, recalled a conversation she had with Mrs Leeming in 2017.
“We were discussing ways to die, which was not unusual given our professions,” Mrs Murphy said.
“Mrs Leeming said that if she had a terminal illness, she had a vial of morphine from a retired GP and she would use that.”
Recording his conclusion, Cheshire coroner Mr Moore said: “Given the circumstances of this case and the evidence I have heard, I have to give consideration to a conclusion of suicide.”
Mr Moore paid tribute to Mrs Leeming’s professional career, adding: “She made a real difference to many people’s lives.
“She cared deeply about people and will be very much missed, but her legacy will endure.”