‘Loving’ mother-of-five, 29, died after taking cocaine and trying to rip out her teeth while in a frenzied state, inquest hears

• Mother Kiera Kent, 29, died at her home in St Ive, near Liskeard, in July last year
• An inquest has heard how after taking cocaine, she tried to pull her teeth out 

A ‘loving’ mother-of-five died after taking cocaine and trying to trip out her teeth while in a frenzied state, an inquest has heard.

Kiera Kent, 29, died at her home in St Ive, near Liskeard in Cornwall, last July despite the desperate efforts to save her from paramedics Gemma Henderson and Leanne Gould – who initially believed they were dealing with a mental health crisis.

The inquest heard how Ms Kent, who was described as the ‘life and soul’ of her family, had issues with her widsom teem. After taking the Class A drug, she put her hand in her mouth and attempted to extract her teeth herself. She also scratched and pulled at her skin.

On a tribute website created by her family, Ms Kent was described as a ‘devoted mother of 5 gorgeous children Vinnie, Aurora, Arya, Ariel & Amier’.

It adds: ‘She will be sorely missed by all of us including all of her many nieces and nephews who adored her as did we. Kiera was the life and sole of our family. Such a loving person to all who knew her. Sweet dreams my darling we will miss you terribly.’

Coroners concluded that although Ms Kent’s cocaine level was not in the toxic range, it accounted for the medical episode that caused her death.

Kiera Kent (pictured), 29, died at her home in St Ive, near Liskeard in Cornwall, last July despite the desperate efforts to save her from paramedics Gemma Henderson and Leanne Gould

Ms Kent pictured with her partner Liam Crabtree who called police after becoming concerned for her welfare

Giving evidence at the inquest, DC Lindsay Cork told the court how a post-mortem report showed scratches and abrasions consistent with Ms Kent pulling at her own skin. There was also evidence that she had put her hands into her mouth and caused significant injury.

DC Cork explained how Ms Kent’s partner Liam Crabtree called police after becoming concerned for her welfare. Mr Crabtree, who is described as Ms Kent’s fiancé on the tribute website, spoke of how they had both used cocaine previously in the evening, before the mother’s behaviour became ‘bizarre and erratic’.

A cause of death was recorded as acute behaviour disturbance following cocaine use. Later in the hearing, it was said that the cocaine use could have exacerbated a chemical/electrolyte imbalance leading to death.

DC Cork then read through a police report that stated that Ms Kent and Mr Crabtree were hosting people for a barbecue that day and then put the children to bed once the guests left. After taking cocaine Ms Kent went upstairs and when she didn’t reappear Mr Crabtree became alarmed.

He went upstairs and found his partner lying on the pillow, surrounded by blood with her hands in her mouth. Ms Kent then went and picked up a razor and Mr Crabtree wrestled her as she attempted to put it in her mouth. 

Mr Crabtree then rang 999 telling the operator his partner was trying to pull her teeth out.

Police arrived and requested an ambulance but there was a considerable delay until the responders arrived. 

PCs Gould and Henderson handcuffed Ms Kent’s hands in front of her to try and protect her. When she stopped breathing they started CPR for 30 minutes before paramedics arrived and she was pronounced dead.

On a tribute website made by her family, Ms Kent was described as a ‘devoted mother of 5 gorgeous children Vinnie, Aurora, Arya, Ariel & Amier’

Messages from Ms Kent”s phone indicated she was having problems with wisdom tooth pain. Giving evidence, PCs Gould and Henderson said they did all they could to try and save Ms Kent but they just wished ambulance help turned up sooner. PC Henderson was visibly shaken giving evidence and Ms Kent’s family thanked the attending officers for their care and compassion calling them ‘a credit to the profession’.

An IOPC investigation determined that there was nothing more whatsoever the officers could have done to help Ms Kent.

Concluding the inquest, assistant coroner for Cornwall Guy Davies said that after taking cocaine Ms Kent’s behaviour became ‘bizarre and concerning’.

He said: ‘PCs Gould and Henderson found Kiera in a highly distressed condition, covered in blood, her hands injured and red raw after being thrust into her mouth. 

‘The officers endeavoured to restrain Kiera but during the process, she stopped breathing. 

‘CPR was commenced by the officers who summoned assistance and a defibrillator before paramedics arrived and determined Kiera dead at the scene. The two officers fought valiantly to try and save her life.’

Mr Davies explained that although Ms Kent’s cocaine level was not in the toxic range, it is possible that it can cause death by creating an electrolyte/chemical imbalance, even when no anatomical reasons for death are apparent. 

Mr Davies said that the cocaine accounted for the medical episode that caused Mr Kent’s death, recording a conclusion of drug-related death.

Mr Davies offered his condolences to Ms Kent’s family and expressed his thanks to PCs Gould and Henderson for their heroic efforts.

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