A coroner has ruled that former Love Island star Sophie Gradon died by suicide, following an inquest.
Gradon, best known as a contestant on the second series of the hit ITV2 reality show, was found dead at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland in June last year, at the age of 32.
Ten months later, today’s inquest heard that she took her own life, after consuming a mix of alcohol and cocaine.
Toxicology tests showed that Gradon had a blood reading of 201mg per 100ml of blood – around three times the legal driving limit for alcohol.
Coroner Eric Armstrong pointed out the mix of alcohol and cocaine can make someone up to 16 times more likely to take their own life, stating: “If Sophie’s death is to serve any purpose at all, that message should go out far and wide.”
The inquest into Gradon’s death had initially been scheduled to take place last month, but was postponed “to allow her family to consider new information”.
A statement from Northumbria Police at the time said: “We are aware of speculation on social media relating to the death of Sophie [Gradon] last year.
“Her inquest was due to be held this week but was postponed to allow the family more time to review the Coroner’s report. We are not reviewing any new lines of enquiry.”
Police had previously said they were not treating her death as suspicious.
Days after Sophie was laid to rest last year, her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong was also found dead at his home, with an inquest last month hearing that he too took his own life.
The 25-year-old had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of his death, coroner Eric Armstrong said, adding this could have “prevented him thinking rationally”, particularly after the loss of Gradon so recently.
Gradon was best known as a contestant on the second series of Love Island, with many of her former co-stars calling for better aftercare when future participants leave the show.
This issue was raised again more recently following the death of contestant Mike Thalassitis, prompting a Love Island spokesperson to issue a response on the matter.
Speaking to HuffPost UK, they said: “Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part in the show.
“We ensure that all of our contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show. The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate.
“We also discuss at length with all of our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this.”
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.