Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Mum’s overdose death two days after daughter killed in crash
A heartbroken mum was found dead from a drugs overdose two days after her daughter was killed in a car crash, an inquest has been told.
Natalie Hood, 46, was discovered lifeless at home hours after posting on Facebook: “I just want my little girl back.” Her 18-year-old daughter, Casey, died in a road accident on the outskirts of Canterbury two days before.
The driver of the car, 27-yearold Lucy Leadbeater, was also killed in the crash, which followed a police chase from the city.
Hairdresser Natalie was given the devastating news of Casey’s death while in hospital following a hip operation.
Two days later she was discovered dead at her flat in Temple Ewell by her own mother, Carol Hood.
An inquest into her death was opened on Monday and told she died from morphine toxicity. Assistant coroner Sonia Hayes has yet to rule if she believes the overdose was intentional, with the circumstances set to be investigated further at a full inquest.
Carol and her husband Ray said previously that although Natalie was “in so much pain” after learning of Casey’s death, they believe she did not mean to take her own life.
The family had hoped the operation would be a turning point for the mum-of-two, who had struggled with a heroin addiction for years and had finished a six-month period in rehab earlier that year.
Carol believes that in her grief, her daughter - who grew up in Dover but moved to Canterbury when the twins were three - turned to drugs once again to stifle the pain.
“She was devastated [about Casey], as we all are,” she said. “She was a really, really good mum.”
Inquests have yet to be held into the deaths of Casey and
Lucy, who were fatally injured when Lucy’s Toyota Yaris crashed in Nethersole Road, Denne Hill, at about 3.50am on Friday, September 14. Former Canterbury Academy pupil Casey - a front-seat passenger - was pronounced dead at the scene and Lucy died the following day in hospital.
The car had been followed by police patrols to a layby just off the A2, on the B2046 Adisham Road, after it was spotted driving at speed by officers near Canterbury police station. As the police pulled up alongside the Yaris, it drove off. Officers followed it to Nethersole Road, where the car crashed into a tree.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct carried out an investigation into the incident and has passed its findings to Kent Police and the families of those who died.
But a report will not be made public until after inquests into the deaths are held next month. Casey’s twin, Kellis, previously told how she had been out with her sister on the night of the crash but went home as she had work the following day. Casey was persuaded to carry on to Canterbury’s Cuban Bar for a night out.
“I was so close to going out that night,” Kellis said.
“If I had gone, I would have been in that front seat, because I knew Lucy.
“It’s not even sunk in yet. I can’t believe Casey’s gone.” Hundreds packed Barham Crematorium to pay their respects to Casey and Natalie, who were laid to rest on the same day. In her eulogy, Kellis recounted how she and her sister would call each other every day. “Both of you were the best mum and sister I could have ever wished and asked for,” she said. “We had so many laughs together. You have left me with so many happy memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. “You’re both going to be missed by so many people. I wish this wasn’t true and it was only a dream.”
The deaths marked yet more tragedy for the Hood family, who lost Natalie’s younger sister, Carla, to a drugs overdose in 2006.