Mum, 21, found dead after inhaling laughing gas with a chest infection

Metro

06-05-2025

A young mum died in her flat after taking laughing gas while she had a chest infection.
Kira Booth, 21, was found by her support worker last November, an inquest held at Preston Coroner's Court heard.
A number of nitrous oxide containers were also found in her flat.
This included one on the floor near her bed, one down the back of a sofa, and 18 packaged up ready to be thrown out.
Some empty and used tablet strips, as well as two snap bags possibly containing cocaine, were also found.
Detective Inspector Steven Slater said there was no evidence of third-party involvement in her death or of her being injured.
A post-mortem examination revealed there was no trauma related to her death, and a toxicology report showed there was recent cocaine use, but no other compounds were detected.
Coroner Kate Bissett said there was no evidence Kira wanted to take her own life because she had a 'strong will to live' and had '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.'
She added that nitrous oxide cannot be detected by toxicology examinations as it leaves the body when somebody dies.
The coroner read out evidence from Kira's mum, Carla Booth, who said her daughter had struggled with her mental health.
Kira had borderline personality disorder, had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act a number of times in her life, and had left home of her own accord at a young age.
She was moved to a flat in Burnley, Lancashire, from a mother and baby unit, and her baby was taken into care in July last year. She was allowed to see her child three times a week. More Trending
Carla said her daughter, who had told social workers previously about mental health struggles with hearing voices, had not been active on social media for 24 hours before her death.
They had not been aware she was taking drugs until the end of her life.
She was described by her family as a 'very kind and generous' person who enjoyed sports like swimming, gymnastics, football, and dancing.
A conclusion of misadventure was recorded, and Ms Bissett said: '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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