A young couple found dead at home by police died of different natural causes, an inquest has heard. A major crime investigation was launched after the bodies of Aleasha Sullivan, 32, and Joshua Sandercock, 30, were found at her flat.
But following the results of a post-mortem examination, the investigation concluded there was no evidence to suggest any connection between the deaths.
Police were called to Aleasha's home following a welfare concern raised by her support worker after being notified that she had not been seen or heard from. She was reported missing to police on October 21. Officers attended her home and when they received no response they looked through the letterbox and saw a body against the door, reports DevonLive.
Aleasha was found to have been dead for several days. While searching the flat police found the body of Joshua in the living room upstairs.
An inquest heard police initially treated it as a potential crime scene. Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Deborah Cook concluded that Aleasha had died of pulmonary thromboembolism - a blood clot in her lungs.
She had taken heroin before her death but the level detected was not associated with fatalities. It was not said to have accounted for her death.
There were no signs of any trauma to her body to suggest there had been a physical assault or fall down the stairs.
Assistant coroner Mike Bird said: "I can imagine as a family it is quite a surprising conclusion considering where the investigation started and two people having been found in same premises at the same time. The initial and natural speculation was that the two deaths were linked but after that detailed investigation there is no evidence to suggest Aleasha died from anything other than a wholly natural cause."
Aleasha's medical records revealed a history of drug dependency, mental health problems as well as clotting problems in her legs which can be made worse through intravenous drug use.
She had spent some time in prison but was engaging with support services and was said to be motivated to improve her situation.
The inquest heard she began a relationship with Joshua in May 2021, but it became abusive and on September 22, 2021, he was arrested over alleged violence against her.
Police investigator Paul Cashman told the inquest the case was a set of 'very unusual circumstances'. He said police had carried out a 'drive past' on October 19 after receiving concerns about Aleasha's welfare but no activity was detected.
Extensive investigations concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths and no signs of a disturbance at the property or third-party involvement.
Mr Bird said: "Despite the unusual situation where another person was found deceased at the same address at the same time, there is no evidence after forensic, medical and police investigations to suggest the causes of death of the two individuals were in any way connected."
He continued: "It can only be said that Aleasha probably died after October 12 and her body was not found until October 21."
Recording his conclusion, he said: "Surprisingly, but very clear, is the conclusion that Aleasha's death is due to natural causes."
An inquest was held separately into the death of Joshua. He was found dead on his back on the sofa in Aleasha's living room.
His cause of death was confirmed as pneumonia. Toxicology tests showed he had taken methadone, which he had not been prescribed, in the hours before his death. The amount consumed was said to not generally be associated with fatalities depending on an individual's tolerance to it, and cannabis was also detected.
Pathologist Dr Cook said: "The methadone may have tipped the balance in a man suffering pneumonia to result in respiratory compromise that resulted in death.”
She added she was unable to say whether he had died before Aleasha, but that no physical injuries were found that could have contributed to his death.
Medical records revealed Joshua had a history of asthma, alcohol abuse, substance misuse including cocaine and cannabis, and mental health struggles. He had previously suffered overdoses related to his drug taking.
In a statement, Joshua's stepmother described how he had a troubled childhood from the age of 13 after getting in with the 'wrong crowd' and was first arrested by police when he was 18. She recalled how problems with alcohol meant he could not hold down a job.
She said: "When he drank his personality changed. He was not nice and could be aggressive and violent and it led to many interactions with the police."
The inquest heard Joshua, who was unemployed, spent periods of time in prison but had seemed happier after being in a relationship with Aleasha.
His stepmother said: "They seemed very happy together although it was a volatile relationship on both sides."
She continued: " He had alcohol issues, used drugs and battled depression over the last 10 years but he remained a devoted dad and was loyal and loving to those close to him."
She said she had spoken to him on the phone, and he had sounded 'really bunged up' and poorly and said that he and Aleasha had not been getting on.
Recording a natural causes conclusion for Joshua's death, Mr Bird said: "It can be said very clearly there is no evidence of the suggestion the deaths were connected in any way other than entirely coincidentally.
"Neither one of them had anything to do with the death of the other. I can imagine how the community might view that conclusion.
"Here we deal with evidence and the evidence clearly from all sources says there was no connection."
Following Aleasha's death, a tribute from her family said: "She was a free-spirited, beautiful young lady who was adored by many and who will be loved and missed every day. Aleasha was a mother, daughter, sister, niece, auntie as well and a kind and loving friend to whomever she met, She never failed to light up and room with her bright and bubbly personality."
Aleasha's family launched a GoFundMe page which raised more than £2,500 so far towards the cost of her funeral.
In the post it said: "Aleasha was loved by many, she was a funny, caring, beautiful selfless soul; a mother, daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, auntie and a friend to anyone she met. She touched the lives of everyone she knew, and made an impact that will never be forgotten.
"She fought many battles but never lost hope, and was always strong enough to wake up and put her face on to face the new day with that Aleasha courage that we all know and love."
