A YOUNG woman was found dead with bruises on her face following a tragic call to her sister, an inquest heard.
Gabrielle Varley was discovered lifeless at home in Exeter by a friend on September 25, 2024.
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Gabrielle Varley was found dead at home Credit: Instagram/GabrielleVarley
She had recently moved back from Grenada Credit: Instagram/GabrielleVarley
The 25-year-old had recently returned from living in Grenada – where she had moved to escape her “sad” life in the UK.
Devon Coroners’ Court heard Gabrielle had been drinking up to three bottles of vodka a day following the move back.
In a final conversation with her sister, she said she hadn’t slept or eaten and had bad stomach cramps.
But the inquest was told neither a pathologist or a toxicologist could say how she had actually died.
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Bruises were found on Gabrielle’s face but police concluded there was no third party involved in her death.
Devon area coroner Deborah Archer accepted her death remains un-ascertained because no expert could say why she had died.
Gabrielle had made a final phonecall to her sister Credit: Instagram/GabrielleVarley
She was complaining of stomach cramps Credit: Facebook/GabrielleVarley
Her sister Charlotte Varley told the court Gabrielle reported not having slept or eaten in their last call.
She said she was worried about her sister, who had also complained about stomach cramps.
Charlotte added: “Gabby had a big problem with alcohol which got worse in 2024, she was going through two to three big bottles of vodka per day.
“Alcohol had been an issue and was getting worse. She was drinking it straight…at any time of the day.”
Following their call, Charlotte tried to contact Gabrielle but could not get an answer so instead phoned friends and the local hospital.
On September 25, pal Byron North went to her home where he discovered the young woman lying on the floor.
Gabrielle had bruising on her face but a cause of death could not be found Credit: Facebook/GabrielleVarley
Police ruled out third party involvement Credit: Facebook/GabrielleVarley
He attempted CPR and called 999 but she was tragically declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Medics initially raised concerns about the appearance of facial bruising but police said there was no evidence of anyone else having been with her.
A toxicology report found Gabrielle’s blood contained levels of paracetamol consistent with toxicity and there was necrotic tissue in the liver.
But it was not possible to conclude whether the paracetamol had contributed to her death or whether the liver damage had occurred before she died or afterwards.
The court also heard that Gabrielle suffered from epilepsy and had a history of anxiety.
Coroner Ms Archer said Gabrielle lived a “solitary” life and that her epilepsy diagnosis was exacerbated by regular alcohol use.
She noted evidence from her GP stating there is a risk of sudden death associated with the use of alcohol among epilepsy patients but could not draw a link between the two in this case.
Ultimately, the coroner found the cause of Gabrielle’s death could not be ascertained and recorded a narrative conclusion.
