A young couple who were found dead at home together both died of different natural causes, an inquest heard.
The bodies of Aleasha Sullivan, 32, and Joshua Sandercock, 30, were discovered at her flat in Holcombe in Devon on October 21, 2021, Devon Live reports. A major police probe was launched and post-mortem examinations were carried out on both bodies.
Following extensive investigations, a conclusion was reached that there was no connection between the two deaths - despite both bodies being found at the same time and in the same place. It was 'entirely coincidental' that they had died together, an inquest was told.
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The hearing at Plymouth Coroners' Court yesterday (April 20) heard how Aleasha - described as a 'funny, caring, selfless soul' - had a domestic violence protection order against Joshua after he was charged with alleged assault against her. Police were called to her home following a welfare concern raised by her support worker after being notified that she had not been seen or heard from since October 12.
She was formally reported missing to police on October 21. Officers attended her home that morning and when they received no response they saw through the letterbox a body against the door.
After breaking in it was found to be Aleasha who had been dead for several days. While searching the maisonette, police then discovered the body of Joshua in the living room upstairs, also deceased.
Police initially treated it as a potential crime scene until medical examinations of their bodies revealed they had both died of natural causes completely independently of each other. Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Deborah Cook concluded that Aleasha, a mum who was born in Torquay, had died of pulmonary thromboembolism - a blood clot in her lungs.
It was noted needle marks had been found on her body and that toxicology tests confirmed she had taken heroin sometime prior to her death but the level detected at the time of the post-mortem examination was not associated with fatalities. However, it was not said to have accounted for her death.
Dr Cook added that there had been no signs of any trauma to her body to suggest there had been a physical assault or fall down the stairs. Addressing the family, assistant coroner for south Devon 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. It was also heard that in her lifetime she had faced social and family challenges and had been exposed to drugs, violence and abusive behaviour.
During the course of her life, she had become dependent on intravenous drugs, including heroin, and had spent some time in prison. However, she was engaging with support services and was said to be motivated to improve her situation, beat her problems and settle down in a supportive relationship.
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. Despite a court order preventing him from having any contact with her or visiting her home, it was said by the coroner that they appeared to have maintained 'some degree' of contact.
Aleasha, who was unemployed at the time of her death, moved to Holcombe in August 2021. Her GP told in a statement how she had last been seen at the surgery that month and she had reported not having used illicit drugs in over 12 months and was 'very friendly and in a good mood'.
Her prescribing doctor at Together Drug and Alcohol Services said in a statement: "She was a very traumatised person but I had genuine hope for her and thought she was heading in a better direction."
Her Together support worker, who reported Aleasha missing to the police because it was 'out of character' for her not to be in contact with any support services and could not be reached by phone, added: "In the last meeting she was very much focused on the future and a fresh start."
She continued: "She wore her heart on her sleeve and was just full of character."
Evidence was also heard from police staff investigator Paul Cashman who told the inquest the case was a set of 'very unusual circumstances'. He confirmed police had been unable to establish when she had died, other than the last confirmed sightings of Aleasha being on October 12 when she went to collect her methadone prescription, an opiate substitute, from the pharmacy.
However, she failed to collect her next prescription on October 15. Neighbours also confirmed they had not seen her or heard any noise from within her home since October 12.
He recalled how police had carried out a 'drive past' on October 19 after receiving concerns about Aleasha's welfare but no activity was detected. An independent review carried out following the deaths confirmed police had met the required standards expected.
Extensive investigations concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths and no signs of a disturbance at the property or third-party involvement. It could not be confirmed when Joshua entered the flat or how long he had been there before his death.
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 yesterday afternoon into the death of Joshua following Aleasha's. He was found passed away lying 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. His limited contact with mental health services stated he had impulsive personality instability issues but did not seek treatment for it.
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 born Exeter and 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 recalled she had spoken to him on the phone on October 2, and he had sounded 'really bunged up' and poorly and said that he and Aleasha had not been getting on. She said that despite the court order, they 'could not stay from each other'. When they last spoke on the phone on October 8, she said he had not sounded unwell.
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 devastated family said she was very well known in the Teignmouth and Dawlish area and 'made friends with everyone'. They added that Aleasha was 'loved by many' and was a 'funny, caring, selfless soul'.
Her 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."
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