Love Island star Sophie Gradon’s boyfriend ‘was screaming and hysterical’ after finding her dead just 3 weeks before hanging himself following cocaine and booze binge
LOVE Island star Sophie Gradon's boyfriend hanged himself following a cocaine and booze binge three weeks after he found her dead at her parents' home, an inquest heard today.
Aaron Armstrong, 25, was left "screaming and hysterical" after making the harrowing discovery on June 20 last year.
The fit and healthy boat captain, who worked for his father, was then found dead by his mum Donna in his bedroom at the family home in Blyth, Northumberland, on July 10 last year - 20 days later.
Coroner Eric Armstrong found the 25-year-old had alcohol and cocaine in his body when he died, and the effects of the substances had prevented him from thinking rationally.
The couple had been going out for five weeks and their relationship was described by Aaron's mum Donna as "very intense and emotional".
In a statement to the inquest she said her concerned sons had gone round to Sophie's home after Aaron had not heard from her and grown worried about her lack of activity on social media.
He got his brother to take him round as he was worried about what he would find, the statement added.
Thirty minutes later, Ryan phoned his mother in tears to say they had found Sophie hanging and Donna could hear Aaron screaming.
In her statement read by the coroner, Donna said: "Aaron seemed absolutely hysterical."
The coroner said it was clear her son was "extremely distressed".
In the following weeks his mood was quiet and very upset, the inquest heard.
Posting online eight days before his death, Mr Armstrong made reference to seeing Sophie again, writing: "I will never stop loving u and my heart will be yours until the day I join you I will see u very soon my angel so keep are [sic] bed warm for me."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
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A toxicology report after his death found he had drunk alcohol and had enough cocaine in his system to put him in the range of someone who could be arrested for impaired driving if they were caught behind the wheel, the coroner said.
The inquest heard those substances "increased the likelihood of violent thoughts and actions".
The coroner said new research showed someone who took them together was 16 times more likely to take their own life.
He clarified this was not a suicide verdict, but returned a narrative conclusion that Aaron "having consumed alcohol and cocaine, took his own life by hanging".
The coroner said: "His thinking was muddled by the distress of Sophie's death, the distress at having found her, with his brother.
"The consequence of taking alcohol and cocaine together prevented him from thinking rationally about his actions."
SOPHIE'S INQUEST POSTPONED
The ruling comes as the inquest into the reality TV star's death was postponed, at her family's request, as they push for her death to be re-examined.
Yesterday we told how lawyers have delayed the inquest into her death, which was due to take place on Thursday, to look over new information.
The reality star's family have been adamant she didn't take her own life, after reports of depression and financial worries emerged following her death last year.
Sophie's mum Deborah, from Ponteland, said: "There is nothing to support the suggestion that Sophie committed suicide.
"We're still working to find out exactly what happened."
Northumbria Police officers yesterday visited the home of Sophie's parents although the force said the case is still being treated as a non-suspicious death.
A spokesman said today: "There's no new evidence.
"The family have been sent the coroner's report ahead of the inquest and they've requested more time to read it."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Sophie's mum wrote a heartfelt message to Mike Thalassitis' family this week, saying she is "inconsolable" after the Love Island star's shock death.
Mike, 26, was found dead in woodland in North London on Saturday, and the Metropolitan Police have said today they were not treating his death as suspicious.
The former professional footballer found fame in the 2017 series of the ITV2 dating show – the year after Sophie.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123
