Student dies taking ecstasy for first time after uni finals Girl’s devastated boyfriend pays tribute
A STUDENT has died after taking ecstasy on a night out to celebrate completing her final exams.
Loved ones have paid tribute to promising mathematician Joana Burns, 22, who suffered a fatal reaction to the party drug.
Her heartbroken friends told police: “It was just supposed to be a one-off final fling to finish university.”
Joana’s boyfriend Lewis Birch described her as “the most beautiful amazing girlfriend in the world”. He wrote on Facebook: “I will always love you and you will be in my heart forever.
“I will never forget you and would give absolutely anything to have you back in my life. If anyone is ever thinking of taking SIR Paul McCartney says he stopped boozing before shows because he started to forget the words to his own songs.
The former Beatle, 75, used to down wine and beer before doing a gig, “particularly in the early days of Wings on tour”.
But he added: “It didn’t work – I would just forget the lyrics I didn’t know anyway.”
Now he prefers to eat just a few chocolate raisins and salted cashews so he feels “light” on stage.
Talking ahead of his Australasia tour later this year, he said their shared Scouse sense of humour prevented him and his fellow Beatles from “going mad” while spending so much time together in their early days.
He added: “We were a great little band that expanded beyond all expansion.” any sort of drug – don’t, full stop. It has torn my life apart. I am absolutely crushed.”
Sheffield Hallam University maths student Joana, who was not a regular drugs user, paid £7 for the MDMA.
She is believed to have taken three wraps, which left her barely able to walk.
One friend found her cowering in a corner and thought she was having a “bad trip”. The pal said: “She looked terrified and as I approached she recoiled.”
Joana died in hospital during the early hours of June 7. A fellow student, aged 20, was also left critically ill after taking the same drug and remains in hospital.
Chief Supt Shaun Morley said: “South Yorkshire Police have concerns regarding the use of controlled drugs by young persons, particularly students in Sheffield.”
A man and woman, aged 23 and 20, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and have been released on bail.
A Just Giving page set up in Joana’s memory has raised more than £1,200 to provide drug awareness education.
The page said Joana’s mum Mosca Burns, of Alfreton, Derbys, named her daughter after Joan of Arc, because of her “strength and conviction”.
To make a donation visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/joana-burns.