Sutton woman’s drug overdose death sparked police probe and boyfriend's arrest on suspicion of murder
The death of a 41-year-old Sutton woman from a drug overdose sparked a police probe that initially led to her boyfriend's arrest on suspicion of murder, an inquest has heard.
Sarah Louise Edwards was found with blood around her mouth and face down on the sofa by her partner when he returned to his flat at Beechwood Court, Skegby, on April 12, said Helena Gallagher, assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire.
A neighbour tried to perform CPR but an ambulance crew declared her dead when they arrived. She was later identified by a fingerprint expert.
The alarm was raised because the front door was smashed in and Sarah's body was found in "a defensive position."
DC Ruth Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said Sarah's boyfriend was initially arrested on suspicion of murder before a crime scene investigator confirmed the posture was caused by rigor mortis.
Her partner told officers that she was “happy, dancing and singing” the night before and went out to buy drugs before returning under the influence.
He raised the alarm when he returned home mid-afternoon the next day and was unable to wake her up.
A Home Office post-mortem gave the cause of her death as mixed drug and alcohol toxicity. Alcohol, methadone and cocaine were found in her system along with evidence of previous heroin use. There was no evidence of inflicted injury.
The combined effect of multiple substances would have placed her at risk of adverse cardiorespiratory effects, the inquest heard.
A neighbour said of Sarah’s partner: “I could tell he was broken as he lost his woman. They were in love.
"Sarah was trying to come off the “dark” and hammering tablets. I think she was homeless and (he) was looking after her. I am gutted and heartbroken at what happened.”
He said they had been in a three-month relationship , were living together, and “always seemed really good together.”
The inquest heard Sarah was homeless at the time of her death and had a history of alcohol dependence and drug misuse, for which she sporadically sought help.
She reported auditory hallucinations and hearing voices. She served prison sentences in 2023 and 2024, when she was prescribed the antidepressant Mirtazapine.
She was referred to the county's specialist mental health team for vulnerable and homeless people in November 2025, but it took months before they were able to locate her and her attendance thereafter was sporadic.
Sarah admitted her mental health was poor and said she had been “hearing things and having conversations in her head.” She used alcohol, heroin, crack cocaine and methadone, and was no longer in touch with her two children.
On Wednesday, September 9, the coroner recorded a conclusion of a drug and alcohol related death during a hearing at Nottingham Council House. She expressed her sincere condolences to Sarah’s family and friends.