Latest news with #RebeccaTurner
Sky News
28-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Mother of British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel room accuses Thai police of 'cover-up'
The mother of a British woman who was found dead alongside her partner in a Bangkok hotel has accused Thai police of a "cover-up". Rebecca Turner and her boyfriend Sam Melnick were found dead on the floor of her room by hotel staff on 15 March last year. They had unwittingly taken a fatal mixture of drugs, an inquest heard. Ms Turner's parents said their 36-year-old daughter, from Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, thought she was taking cocaine on the night before she died. However, the mixture she took actually contained morphine, codeine and several other substances, the inquest was told. Anita Turner has travelled to Thailand three times since her daughter's death, and plans to go out again next month. Speaking outside East Sussex Coroner's Court, she warned other travellers against taking drugs abroad and criticised Thailand's police force. She said: "They [Thai police] promised me details in six months' time and that was about eight months ago. I'm still waiting. "All the police try to do is just cover it up and they got mad at me one day because I told them that and they told me I was lying. "There is a text message [from Rebecca] talking about a little bit of cocaine. She thought it was cocaine." During her trips, Anita Turner has continued the charity work her daughter had begun. She described her daughter as "fun, bubbly, always partying, always laughing, always smiling". Assistant coroner Laura Bradford recorded a conclusion of a drug-related death and said the medical cause of death was drug toxicity. The coroner said there was "no evidence to suggest she was intending to die", adding: "I have evidence from Rebecca's family that her mental health was stable and her mood was in fact good."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mother's warning after daughter died from lethal cocktail of drugs
A mother has warned of the dangers of drugs after her daughter accidentally overdosed on a lethal cocktail of substances while on holiday in Thailand. An inquest heard Rebecca Turner, 36, died in a Bangkok hotel room after taking what she thought was a line of cocaine with her partner. The white powder she thought was cocaine was a lethal combination of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, morphine and anxiety medication. Her mother Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: 'It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. 'I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it.' She condemned Thai police and said the drugs were bought from a street drug pusher just yards from the police station on a road notorious for tourist deaths. 'There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know. 'I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous.' Rebecca, who was described by her mother as 'caring' and 'happy go lucky' had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding in Laos in March last year. She and Sam Melnick, 32, a self-employed gas-engineer and plumber, had checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 and were due to check out on March 16. He had texted a friend on March 15 saying he had just bought some cocaine, Mrs Turner said. The couple had planned to check out on March 16 but at midday a friend called the hotel to say Rebecca was missing, the inquest heard. Hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so, as the guests were overdue for checking out, staff went to the room. On entry they discovered Rebecca lying dead on her left side on the floor near the bathroom while Sam was lying dead on the bed. The inquest at East Sussex Coroners' Court in Lewes was told a clear plastic ziplock bag was found containing white powder, White powder was also found spread on the sink and a bank note was found rolled up on the sink. The drug was ultimately found to be heroin. Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK and a post-mortem was carried out. The pathologist carried out toxicology tests and found evidence of multiple drugs in her system including morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety, but was looking forward to travelling there and was due to meet up with friends. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide despite Rebecca's history of depression and mental health problems. Afterwards, her mother said she had visited Thailand three times since her daughter's death last year in a desperate attempt to uncover what actually happened. She plans to go back again in June to help assist children in schools in Bangkok which was a cause close to her daughter's heart. Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among five young women and one man who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol which is sometimes added to bootleg drinks to make them stronger, can be lethal. All six people died despite receiving medical treatment. A further dozen needed hospital treatment but survived.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Mother's warning after daughter died from lethal cocktail of drugs
A mother has warned of the dangers of drugs after her daughter accidentally overdosed on a lethal cocktail of substances while on holiday in Thailand. An inquest heard Rebecca Turner, 36, died in a Bangkok hotel room after taking what she thought was a line of cocaine with her partner. The white powder she thought was cocaine was a lethal combination of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, morphine and anxiety medication. 'Stay away' Her mother Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: 'It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. 'I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it.' She condemned Thai police and said the drugs were bought from a street drug pusher just yards from the police station on a road notorious for tourist deaths. 'There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know. 'I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous.' 'Happy go lucky' Rebecca, who was described by her mother as 'caring' and 'happy go lucky' had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding in Laos in March last year. She and Sam Melnick, 32, a self-employed gas-engineer and plumber, had checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 and were due to check out on March 16. He had texted a friend on March 15 saying he had just bought some cocaine, Mrs Turner said. The couple had planned to check out on March 16 but at midday a friend called the hotel to say Rebecca was missing, the inquest heard. Hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so, as the guests were overdue for checking out, staff went to the room. Post-mortem On entry they discovered Rebecca lying dead on her left side on the floor near the bathroom while Sam was lying dead on the bed. The inquest at East Sussex Coroners' Court in Lewes was told a clear plastic ziplock bag was found containing white powder, White powder was also found spread on the sink and a bank note was found rolled up on the sink. The drug was ultimately found to be heroin. Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK and a post-mortem was carried out. The pathologist carried out toxicology tests and found evidence of multiple drugs in her system including morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. Desperate attempt The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety, but was looking forward to travelling there and was due to meet up with friends. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide despite Rebecca's history of depression and mental health problems. Afterwards, her mother said she had visited Thailand three times since her daughter's death last year in a desperate attempt to uncover what actually happened. She plans to go back again in June to help assist children in schools in Bangkok which was a cause close to her daughter's heart. Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among five young women and one man who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol which is sometimes added to bootleg drinks to make them stronger, can be lethal.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit died in Thai hotel after 'unwittingly taking cocktail of street drugs'
A "happy go lucky" and "caring" young British woman died while on holiday in Thailand after accidentally consuming a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard. Rebecca Turner, 36, died in a Bangkok hotel room after taking what she thought was a line of cocaine with her partner. But the white powder was actually a lethal combination of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, morphine and anxiety medication. Now her devastated mother has warned other travellers to stay away from street drugs while travelling in Thailand. Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: "It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it." She condemned Thai police and said the drugs were bought from a street drug pusher just yards from a police station on a road notorious for tourist deaths. She said: "There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know. I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous.' Rebecca had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding in Laos in March last year. She and friend Sam Melnick, 32, a self-employed gas-engineer and plumber, had checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 and were due to check out on March 16 He had text a friend on March 15 saying he had just bought some cocaine, Mrs Turner said. An inquest into Rebecca's death heard the couple had planned to check out on March 16 but at midday a friend called the hotel to say Rebecca was missing. Hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so, as the guests were overdue for checking out, staff went to the room and used a key card to gain entry. On entry they discovered Rebecca lying dead on her left side on the floor near the bathroom while Sam was lying dead on the bed. The inquest at East Sussex Coroners' Court in Lewes, was told a clear plastic ziplock bag was found containing white powder. White powder was also found spread on the sink and a bank note was found rolled up on the sink. The drug was ultimately found to be heroin. Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK and an autopsy was carried out. The pathologist carried out toxicology tests and found evidence of multiple drugs in her system including morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. But the 36-year-old, who had previously spent four years in Laos and described it as her second home, was looking forward to her travelling and was due to meet up with friends. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide despite Rebecca's history of depression and mental health problems. Giving a conclusion of drug-related death, she extended her sympathies to the family. Afterwards her mother, Anita, said she had visited Thailand three times since her daughter's death last year in a desperate attempt to uncover what actually happened. She plans to go back again in June to help provide assistance for children in schools in Bangkok which was a cause close to her daughter's heart. She said: "I want to go back and help the schools for the sake of Rebecca, to raise funds and equipment for them. It was something Rebecca really wanted to help with so I'm doing it for her as well. But most of all I just want to say: 'Please don't do drugs out there'. It's so dangerous and you don't know what is in it. It's just not worth it. Rebecca was a lovely, caring person. She was happy go lucky really and we loved her. We are absolutely heartbroken." Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among five young women and one man who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol which is sometimes added to bootleg drinks to make them stronger, can be lethal. All six people died despite receiving medical treatment. A further dozen needed hospital treatment but survived.
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit woman, 36, died on holiday in Thailand after ‘accidentally taking lethal cocktail of drugs with her boyfriend'
TRAGIC END Brit woman, 36, died on holiday in Thailand after 'accidentally taking lethal cocktail of drugs with her boyfriend' A BRIT woman died on holiday in Thailand after accidentally taking a lethal cocktail of drugs with her boyfriend, an inquest heard. Rebecca Turner, 36, was discovered lying on her side near the bathroom in her hotel room in Bangkok. 4 Rebecca Turner died on holiday in Thailand Credit: SWNS 4 Her mum Anita has spoken out to warn others Credit: SWNS Her boyfriend Sam Melnick, 32, was found dead on the bed during the double tragedy in March last year. An inquest heard the pair believed they were taking a line of cocaine but the powder actually contained a lethal mix of medication. Rebecca's devastated mum has now warned other travellers to stay away from street drugs while travelling in Thailand. Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: "It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. "I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it." The mum also slammed cops in Thailand and claimed the drugs were bought from a pusher just yards from a police station. Anita added: "There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know. "I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous." East Sussex Coroners' Court heard Rebecca had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding. She checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 with Sam and was due to check out four days later. On March 15, Rebecca messaged a friend saying she had bought cocaine but was not heard from again - prompting a pal to raise the alarm. The court heard hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so used a key card to gain entry. They discovered the couple dead with a clear plastic ziplock bag also found nearby. White powder was also found on the sink that Thai police later determined to be heroin. But toxicology carried out by UK medics after Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK showed a complex mix of drugs. These included morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. But she had previously spent four years in Laos, which she described as her second home, and was looking forward to travelling. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide and instead recorded a conclusion of drug-related death. Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among the group who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol, can be lethal. Rebecca's mum has since visited Thailand three times since her death and is planning to return so she can provide assistance for children in schools in Bangkok. Anita said: "I want to go back and help the schools for the sake of Rebecca, to raise funds and equipment for them. It was something Rebecca really wanted to help with so I'm doing it for her as well. "But most of all I just want to say: 'Please don't do drugs out there'. "It's so dangerous and you don't know what is in it. It's just not worth it. "Rebecca was a lovely, caring person. She was happy go lucky really and we loved her. We are absolutely heartbroken." 4 Rebecca was travelling with her boyfriend at the time Credit: SWNS
