A recent second inquest has solidified the cause of death for renowned singer Amy Winehouse, attributing her passing to alcohol poisoning following a bout of excessive drinking subsequent to a period of abstinence.
The inquiry was initiated due to discrepancies surrounding the initial coroner, Suzanne Greenaway, who had been appointed by her husband, Dr. Andrew Reid, the coroner for inner north London, without possessing the necessary qualifications for the role.
Greenaway resigned in November upon the revelation that she lacked the mandatory five years’ experience mandated by the Law Society, prompting Reid to step down from his position in December.
Winehouse, a 27-year-old Grammy award winner, was discovered lifeless in her residence in Camden, north London, on Saturday, July 23, 2011.
The latest investigation reiterated that Winehouse had a staggering 416mg of alcohol per decilitre in her bloodstream, a level sufficient to induce a comatose state and suppress her respiratory functions.
Paramedics found her deceased, fully dressed, with a laptop on her bed, and empty vodka containers strewn across the floor.
Dr. Shirley Radcliffe, the St Pancras coroner, delivered a verdict of misadventure, emphasizing that Winehouse’s demise resulted from a conscious decision to consume alcohol, an action that unexpectedly led to her death.
During the inquest, Dr. Christina Romete, Winehouse’s general practitioner, shared insights into the artist’s struggles with alcohol addiction, detailing her resistance to psychiatric aid out of fear that it might impede her creativity.
Despite intermittent periods of sobriety, Winehouse frequently relapsed into heavy drinking episodes.
Acknowledged for her history of substance abuse, including heroin, crack cocaine, and cannabis use, Winehouse had ceased drug intake before facing escalating alcohol-related issues during her stay in St Lucia.
Upon returning to the UK, she oscillated between phases of abstinence and relapse, supported by medication like Librium to combat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and anxiety.
Despite acknowledging her alcohol consumption, Winehouse expressed uncertainty when questioned about discontinuing her drinking habit, reflecting her inner conflict.
Andrew Morris, Winehouse’s bodyguard, described their relationship as akin to that of siblings and recounted his observations in the days leading up to her demise.
He affirmed that Winehouse had been drinking moderately in the preceding days, engaging in normal activities such as watching videos of her past performances.
Morris last interacted with her in the early hours of the day she passed away, noting her apparent tranquility.
However, upon discovering her unresponsive later that day, he realized the severity of the situation.
Pathologist Michael Sheaff corroborated the findings of pathologist Suhail Baithun, affirming the substantial alcohol levels in Winehouse’s system and highlighting the peril associated with such concentrations.
The coroner ultimately ruled that Winehouse succumbed to “alcohol toxicity,” stressing the deadly repercussions of her voluntary alcohol ingestion.
Expressing condolences to Winehouse’s bereaved parents, who were absent from the proceedings, the coroner mourned the loss of a gifted individual at a premature age, underscoring the tragic consequences of unchecked alcohol consumption.
