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Couple who were found dead at the same time in the same place died from different causes, inquest hears
A woman and her boyfriend who were found dead at the same home at the same time died from different natural causes.
Aleasha Sullivan, 32, and Joshua Sandercock, 30, were both discovered at an apartment in Holcombe in north Devon, UK, on October 21, 2021.
As reported by the Daily Mail, concerns were raised about Aleasha's well-being after her support worker had not heard from her since October 12.
Police attended her residence and spotted a body through the letterbox. The door was broken down and the body was confirmed to be that of the 32-year-old.
When searching the residence, police found Joshua's body upstairs. The house was thought to be a crime scene, but medical examinations revealed that Aleasha had been deceased for several days before the discovery, and both had passed from independent natural causes.
Home Office forensic pathologist Dr. Deborah Cook concluded that Aleasha passed away from a blood clot, while Joshua passed from pneumonia.
It was noted that the 32-year-old was found with needle marks on her body, but a toxicology report revealed that the level of heroin in her system meant it was unrelated to her death.
Mike Bird, Assistant coroner for South Devon 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."
The 32-year-old's medical records state that she had claimed to be in a "good mood" and had not used any illicit drugs in the previous 12 months.
According to her support worker, Aleasha was intent on making a fresh start from her turbulent past, and was excited about the future.
Whilst investigations could not confirm how long Joshua had been deceased, there was no evidence of foul play or third party involvement in either of their deaths.
Bird went on: "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."
Toxicology reports show that Joshua had unprescribed methadone in his system at the time of his death, as well as traces of cannabis.
Dr. Cook said: "The methadone may have tipped the balance in a man suffering pneumonia to result in respiratory compromise that resulted in death."
Bird concluded: "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."
Our thoughts are with Aleasha and Joshua's loved ones.