Peaches Geldof's Death Was 'Drug-Related', Inquest Confirms

An inquest into Peaches Geldof's death has ruled that her passing was drugs-related.

The 25-year old was found dead at her home on Monday, April 7, with the original inquest adjourned following a preliminary hearing in May.

At Gravesend Coroner's Office today (July 23), pathologist Peter Jerreat confirmed that toxicology tests showed evidence of codeine, morphine and methadone in Peaches' blood.

He explained that the methadone had been synthesized from heroin, which Jerreat said were at a "fatal range". Puncture wounds were also found on Geldof's wrists and thumbs.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham also told the hearing that recent heroin use "was likely to have played a role" in Geldof's death.

Coroner Roger Hatch added: "Someone who stops or ceases to use heroin, then resumes, is less able to tolerate the levels they previously had."

He added that it was clear Peaches had been taking the Class A drug after evidence was found at her Kent home, with Hatch telling the inquest her death will be recorded as "drugs-related".Referring to her mother Paula Yates' death, he concluded: "It has been said this is a case of history repeating itself. But this is not entirely so."

He went on to reference Peaches' efforts to rehabilitate herself and end her drug addiction, with Hatch also expressing his sympathy to her family. 

Her husband Tom Cohen told the hearing his wife had been seeking treatment for drug dependency for two years, revealing she went for weekly drug tests which were always clear.

When asked by the coroner if he now felt Peaches had been lying about the results, Cohen replied: "Yes."

Tom added that he was unaware of any drugs at their home until they were found by police following her passing, telling the hearing he believed his wife may have stored drugs in the loft.

Police later confirmed that a bag of 6.9g of heroin was found at the house, as well as further drugs paraphernalia including 27 bottles of methadone.

DCI Fotheringham told the inquest that the purity of the herion was of "high-grade" at around 61%, with a street value in the range of £350-£500 - with police continuing to investigate the supply of the drugs.

He added that no-one who had spoken to Geldof in the week before her death had raised any concerns for her welfare.