Chloe Macdermott

I am Paul Rogers, HM Assistant Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Inner West London

On the 5th December 2023 evidence was heard touching the death of Chloe Elizabeth MACDERMOTT. She died on 23rd May 2021 aged 43 years. Medical Cause of Death I (a)  [REDACTED] toxicity How, when, where Chloe Elizabeth MACDERMOTT came by her death: Chloe Elizabeth Macdermott had been struggling with her mental health for some years prior to her death. She became increasingly suicidal and researched ways to end her life [REDACTED]. On or about 21st May 2021 she formed an association with two other persons with whom she planned to end her life. She had purchased [REDACTED], using Amazon US. On 22nd May 2021 whilst her husband was away from home, she contacted the persons she had discussed committing suicide with and an agreement was made to act that night. Chloe and one other person in a different part of the UK ingested [REDACTED], around midnight between 22nd and 23rd May 2021. Chloe died in the early hours of 23rd May 2021 from the effects of [REDACTED] toxicity on her bed in her home [REDACTED]. Conclusion of the Coroner as to the death: Suicide

Circumstances of the death: Extensive evidence was heard by the court in the form of written and oral evidence, including expert evidence. Of particular significance for the purpose of this report are the following matters: Chloe was able to purchase the product used over the internet and have it delivered to her home in the UK. Enquiries showed the product was purchased using Amazon in the United States. [REDACTED], and other such forums encourage suicide, assist it by provision of information about suicide methods, counsel suicide by providing information about it and thereby potentially facilitate the commission of a criminal offence in the United Kingdom.

Matters of Concern: (3) [REDACTED], is a forum that permits material to be exchanged and viewed within its open chatrooms whereby suicide is encouraged, assisted, counselled and procured through the provision and exchange of information and methods. (4) [REDACTED] (5) No age or other restrictions are in place to prevent access to children, vulnerable teenagers and vulnerable adults. (6) No prominent signposting is in place to organisations from whom help is available to prevent suicide. (7) Posts are made by users containing details of methods of suicide without any effective administration to remove such harmful content. (8) [REDACTED] (9) The availability of [REDACTED],  through the internet and its delivery to individual users in the UK with a non-commercial or agricultural use. (10) The ability for UK users to purchase [REDACTED], through Amazon in the United States and to take delivery in the United Kingdom without effective border and/or custom controls.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation has the power to take such action. It is for each addressee to respond to matters relevant to them.