The Burnley Express reported last week that an inquest was adjourned into the death of Elizabeth Freeston (19) following concerns from her family. The teen, who suffered from a mild form of autism, was found dead in bed by her boyfriend Michael Grundy at their home in Francis Street on December 12th, 2012. A post-mortem examination found that Miss Freeston had died from the combined toxic effects of heroin, diazepam and the anti-depressant fluoxetine. A mutual friend, Miss Stacey Spencer, told the inquest that Mr Grundy had complained to her that Stacey had been “nagging” him. Miss Spencer said: “Lizzy hated drugs. She was a lovely girl who didn’t deserve what happened to her. “Michael complained that Lizzy kept nagging him. He told me he was going to ‘shove her a couple of tablets’ to calm her down. “I saw him after Lizzy died and he told me he had given her 10 diazepam tablets and around 20mls of heroin.” Pathologist Dr Richard Prescott said he also found “four recent injection marks” in her elbows. When pressed by the family’s solicitor, Dr Prescott told the hearing the amounts alleged by Miss Spencer would have been “broadly within the parameters” of the levels found in Miss Freeston’s system. Michael Grundy has consistently denied giving her anything. Known by family and friends as Lizzy, the teenager’s adopted mother Mrs Sarah Freeston said that Lizzy never used drugs and drank very rarely. Miss Freeston added that her daughter was “petrified of needles”. Mr Grundy, who admitted he was addicted to heroin and valium, was arrested by police following Miss Freeston’s death. He said he had found her unresponsive in bed. East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor has now decided to refer the case to the CPS to investigate whether or not there had been a criminal offence which could have contributed to her death. The inquest will be formally adjourned on May 15th.
