Tragic Drug Death of Young Woman in Dagenham Sheltered Housing
A 26-year-old woman with a long history of mental health issues and drug addiction was found dead in a friend’s room at a sheltered housing complex in Dagenham, an inquest heard on Tuesday.
Dead After Taking Street Drugs
Mahlet Goshu Debas, formerly from Rainham, died in the early hours of June 13, 2024, at a supported housing unit on Surrey Road. A post-mortem revealed she had ingested a deadly mix of drugs, causing acute cardiorespiratory failure.
The court was told Miss Debas went out the night before her death to buy controlled prescription drugs from a street dealer. She and a friend both took these drugs together before falling asleep. Staff found her lifeless the next morning when trying to wake her for prescribed medication. Paramedics noted rigor mortis had already set in, indicating she’d been dead for hours.
A Life Marked by Mental Health Struggles
Barking and Dagenham Council described Mahlet as suffering from a “psychotic disorder, complicated by multiple substance misuse.” She had been evicted twice from supported accommodation because of ongoing drug use and behavioural problems.
London Ambulance Service flagged her as a “nuisance caller” after she dialled 999 twenty-six times in one year—averaging every two weeks.
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mahlet was known to UK authorities since her teenage years and had been repeatedly detained under the Mental Health Act. The inquest revealed she once tried to set fire to her home, believing an “evil spirit” was after her.
Family Remembers ‘Happy and Likeable’ Sister
“She was a happy, active, likeable person who befriended almost anyone,” said her sister. “Peer pressure led her into bad habits like smoking and cannabis, which worsened her mental health.”
Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded a verdict of drug-related death. She expressed her sympathies, saying, “I would like to convey my deepest condolences to her family.”
Call for Better Support for Vulnerable People
Miss Debas’s death highlights the urgent need for improved care for those battling mental illness and addiction. Experts warn of gaps in services for housing, mental health, and substance misuse treatment.
Her tragic story is a stark reminder of the millions struggling with complex needs and the deadly consequences when support falls short.
