Coroner rules TV star took her own life over trial fear

Caroline Flack feared coming under scrutiny as she faced court case accused of hitting boyfriend with phone

Television presenter Caroline Flack took her own life after discovering she was definitely going to be prosecuted for assaulting her boyfriend and feared press intrusion, a coroner has ruled.

Coroner Mary Hassell said the fact the alleged assault case was “played out in the national press” was “incredibly difficult for her”, and she feared the loss of her hard-fought career.

The 40-year-old former Love Island and X Factor host was found dead at her home in north-east London on February 15.

The previous day, she had discovered prosecutors were going to press ahead with the assault charge after she hit Lewis Burton with her phone while he slept over concerns he had been cheating on her.

Friends said she was expecting it to be dropped.

Returning a determination of suicide at Poplar Coroner’s Court yesterday, the coroner said: “Although her general fluctuating (mental) state was a background and important in her death, I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty, and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity.

“To me that’s it in essence.” Weeping, Flack’s mother Chris Flack told the coroner via videolink: “I totally agree, I think you got it spot on.”

In a statement after the hearing, Mrs Flack hit out at those who “took advantage” of her “loyal” daughter.

Mrs Flack had accused the police and prosecutors of having it “in for” her daughter, accusing them of taking her to court due to her “celebrity status”.

She said her famous daughter killed herself as a consequence of Detective Inspector Lauren Bateman’s personal decision to appeal against the plan to give Flack a caution for assault.

Mrs Flack accused prosecutors of wanting to proceed with the case, despite concerns about the 40-yearold’s mental health.

Mrs Flack told deputy chief Crown prosecutor Lisa Ramsarran yesterday: “After listening to you and the first lady (Ms Bateman), I feel even more that you had it in for Caroline.”

Ms Ramsarran said the code for prosecutors was correctly applied, while the police and the Crown Prosecution Service said they would not do anything differently.

Flack admitted hitting Mr Burton when officers were called to her home in London in December 2019, saying she did so because she found out he was cheating on her, the inquest heard.

Prosecutors decided to charge Flack with assault after Ms Bateman, the Metropolitan Police inspector on duty at the time, contested their initial decision.

Ms Ramsarran added: “I don’t share your view that we are treating this defendant any different from anyone else.”

Ms Bateman denied the coroner’s suggestion that she was motivated by Flack’s celebrity status to charge her.

Ms Bateman said: “I was not biased and I treat everyone the same.”

Picture: PA. Caroline Flack was found dead at her home in February.