Bolton: 'Bubbly and social' mum died aged 39

Laura Ord died aged 39 at Royal Bolton Hospital on August 19, 2021. 

Three days earlier, on August 16, Ms Ord had been found unresponsive by her partner, Sarah Pennington, at their home on Bryn Walk, Bolton.

An inquest into her death was held at Bolton Coroners' Court on Wednesday, December 13. 

A statement from her mother, Helen Ord, was read out to the inquest. She told how Ms Ord had a "happy and contented childhood", was popular, had a number of good friends and was a very good student. 

Speaking at the inquest, her father, John Ord, said: "She was a very bright girl." 

However, after leaving school, she "fell in with the wrong crowd" and began using cannabis, before moving onto harder drugs.

This grew into addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, which she suffered with throughout much of her adult life. 

Mr Ord told the inquest that his daughter coped 'very well at first' to motherhood and that she "tried her best". 

She was described as a "bubbly, social and very lovely girl" whose life was "blighted by chaos". 

Mrs Ord told of her daughter's relationship with Sarah Pennington, describing it as "dysfunctional", "toxic" and as being "coercive and controlling". 

On August 16, 2021, the family found out that Ms Ord had been admitted to hospital after attempting to end her own life. 

She had been found hanging at her home by Ms Pennington. 

The family understand it was linked to her own personal circumstances, including "enduring low mood" and a susceptibility to self harm. 

On August 19, following a couple of days on life support, Ms Ord died as a result of her injuries. 

Pathologist Dr Patrick Waugh gave her cause of death as multiple organ failure, which was caused by asphyxiation, which was in turn caused by hanging.

Inspecting officer DI Dave Sinclair said there was no third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances around her death. 

Tonya Nettleton, an operational manager at NHS' Achieve Recovery Services, told the inquest about their knowledge of Ms Ord’s mental health and addiction issues. 

Coroner Timothy Brennand raised the fact that services were still under pressure due to the pandemic in summer 2021, with telephone consultations being the norm. 

He questioned whether having a dual diagnosis of mental health and drug issues might have been able to help Laura. 

He said: "I don't see anyone getting hold of this case and realising, if it is right she was suffering from emotional unstable personality disorder and PTSD, as well as relapses from drug addiction, she would certainly have qualified as having dual diagnosis." 

Tonya said: "She had a referral in January with Greater Manchester Mental Health. 

"A dual diagnosis referral was made because she had complex substance issues and there needed to be a period of abstinence to assess her mental health." 

Mr Brennand replied: "But couldn't getting someone like Laura abstinent be seen as wishful thinking?" 

He raised concern about the staffing levels for mental health teams in Bolton. 

Tonya said: "In Bolton there are approximately 1500 service users, and there are approximately 22 recovery coordinators. Most of them have complex needs. 

"I think it changes from area to area, but Bolton tends to have more heroin, opiate and crack cocaine users." 

She added that in 2021 there had been as low as 17 recovery coordinators, while they ideally need 30. 

Mr Brennand said: “I write to the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health on a monthly basis, I am very familiar with the care programme approach. 

"The only way can deal with these cases, challenging cases, is for there to be a properly funded, well invested, highly skilled, trained and maintained staff for this to be meaningfully achieved in this setting. 

"I will write to the current Minister of State to bring to their attention these matters of concern, the evidence of understaffing in recovery agency provision in Bolton in this case." 

Mr Brennand recorded Ms Ord's cause of death as suicide.  

He said: “She had so much to live for, she wanted to be the best mother she could to her children. 

"The real tragedy in this is that as a young teenager with the entire world to look forward to, a popular, gregarious, charming, bright young girl was taken from her family because of the company she chose to keep, as a consequence of poor decisions she made for herself. 

"Drugs bring consequences, as this stark case has demonstrated." 

If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also find support on their website here (www.samaritans.org).