Concerns raised about woman days before her death in Hereford
A care worker warned that a young woman's life was in danger days before she was found dead in a tent in Hereford, an inquest has heard. The body of Natasha Jade Ashby, known as Tasha, was found 7 August 2023 in a tent at Hereford county bus station. Ms Ashby, who was 21 and a mother, had been sleeping rough for some time. Her parents described Tasha as "very vulnerable" and said her mental capacity was that of a nine-year-old child.
At a pre-inquest hearing on Monday at Hereford Town Hall, coroner James Bennett described how Ms Ashby's care worker was worried she could come to harm.Anne-Marie Harris, who works for the Hereford charity Vennture, wrote a safeguarding referral to Herefordshire Council. "I am seriously concerned that, without adult social care support, there will shortly be a loss of life by her own hands or others," said the coroner, reading out Ms Harris' words.
A post-mortem examination has revealed the cause of Ms Ashby's death to be heroin toxicity.The solicitor for her family, Ciara Bartlam, has previously said there was evidence the heroin may not have been self-injected.Her family said that toxicology reports showed she was not a regular user of the drug.At a previous hearing in November, Herefordshire's assistant coroner Roland Wooderson had adjourned the inquest to allow further evidence to be gathered.At Monday's hearing Ms Ashby's parents asked the coroner to look at two factors which they believe may have led to her death.They wanted to know how she had heroin in her bloodstream and what attempts had been made by the relevant services to keep her safe.
The coroner told Monday's pre-inquest review that he wanted more details of the contact that Ms Ashby had with West Mercia Police in the days before her death.The inquest heard how she had been arrested for shoplifting on 2 August. On 3 August she told officers that she had been raped and was taken to hospital by West Mercia Police staff as she was described as being "quite unwell".Her body was discovered in her tent in the car park of Hereford County Bus Station on 7 August.Her parents and friends had reported her missing as they had not been able to contact her for a number of days.
Question over 'systemic failings'
Ms Ashby had been in care since the age of nine, living with foster parents and then in supported housing. During Monday's hearing, the coroner was told that Ms Ashby had asked to leave her supported housing in October 2022.Following that she stayed with friends or slept rough. Her family has questioned whether "systemic failings" at Herefordshire Council had played a role in her death. "She was a 21-year-old care leaver to whom the council owed a duty of responsibility," said Ms Bartlam.Mr Bennett said he was considering holding a jury inquest. A date for the inquest into Ms Ashby's death has not been set, but it is expected to be held early next year.
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