'Kind and generous' mum, 21, found dead after inhaling laughing gas with chest infection
Young mum Kira Booth, 21, was discovered lifeless in her Burnley flat by her support worker in November last year - after she did laughing gas whilst battling a chest infection
A young mum was tragically found dead after inhaling laughing gas whilst fighting a chest infection, an inquest has concluded. Kira Booth, 21, was discovered lifeless in her Burnley flat by her support worker in November last year.
Her family said they were not aware she had been taking drugs until shortly before her death, though said it was more recreational as opposed to a dependency. Kira chose to leave home at a young age, but regularly kept in touch with her five siblings and her parents, the family said.
They described the young mum as a "very kind and generous" person, who loved swimming, gymnastics, football, and dancing. Evidence was read into the record at Preston Coroner's Court by coroner Kate Bissett from Kira's mum, Carla Booth. She said Kira's struggle with mental health and with the rules led to her leaving the family home.
Kira had a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and had been sectioned a number of times under the Mental Health Act, Lancashire Live reports. She had lived in a mother and baby unit since giving birth, and then moved into her flat in Burnley, Lancashire. Around July last year, she told a social worker that she had been hearing voices, which led to her baby being taken away, and she had access to her child three times a week. In November, alarm bells began to ring for Kira's mum when she noticed her daughter had been inactive on social media for 24 hours, which was unusual.
Police confirmed later that day that Kira had died in her flat. Detective Inspector Steven Slater, the senior investigating officer in the case, told the inquest there was no evidence of any third-party involvement or the mum being injured. He added that a large number of nitrous oxide containers were found inside the property, including one on the floor near her bed, one down the back of a sofa, and a further 18 packaged up ready to be thrown out.
A number of tablet strips were also found - some empty - as well as two small snap bags, which the officer said potentially could have contained cocaine. According to a CT post-mortem exam, there was no trauma related to Kira's cause of death. A toxicology report also showed there was recent cocaine use, but no other compounds were detected.
Ms Bissett said nitrous oxide cannot be detected by toxicology examinations as it leaves the body upon death, adding there was no evidence Kira had intended to take her own life. She said Kira had a "strong will to live" and that her records showed she "worked through her difficulties."
She said: "Kira wasn't someone who had given up on normal life and was engaging in all sorts of drugs. She was someone who managed her problems by having a positive time experimenting with substances. She was not a habitual user." Ms Bissett recorded a conclusion of misadventure, saying: "Kira Booth died on November 12, 2024, at her home address, having consumed nitrous oxide whilst suffering with a chest infection."
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