By Eric King
The daughter of a multi-million pound property developer who struggled with drug abuse has died of an overdose because of a manslaughter guilt trip. 37 year old Hannah James but was psychologically affected by the fatal accident in 2011 in which she accidentally killed a cyclist. Her marriage broke down three years later. She was found dead in the bath of her Paris home after injecting herself wit a drug adulterated with fentanyl- a synthetic opiod 100 times more potent than morphine.
Interior designer Hannah was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work for mowing down student Joel Semmens two days before his 18th birthday in October 2010. The designer was charged with failing to stop after an accident and driving with an unsuitable tyre after blood tests showed she was not under the influence of drink or drugs.
Westminster Coroners’ Court heard Hannah had previously handed her parents an envelope to open ‘in case something happened to her’.
The letter contained seven resuscitation orders from paramedics in 2014 and 2015 following a 999 call by her ex-husband to reported drug overdoses. It is believed Hannah handed the letter to avoid any suspicions of foul play following a premeditated overdose she took to contain her sorrows.
Speaking at the inquest, Mr James said: “In late October 2011 Hannah had a driving accident while driving away from a meeting with a client and hit and killed a cyclist aged 17.
“He was crossing the main road without stopping, on an unlit bike wearing dark clothing and no safety gear.
“She was charged that evening with dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs but blood tests proved she was not.
“She was traumatised by the accident. We noticed she was showing signs of depression and noticeably drinking more and, now we know, taking drugs.” Hannah, the youngest of their three children, was born into wealth but was a troubled teenager. Despite her large unearned income, Hannah gave into drugs throughout her youth until it eventually killed her following the heavy guilt trip she suffered for accidentally killing a cyclist
He said: “Despite being expelled from school at 15, having bragged about taking drugs, she was a delightful child with an open and friendly manner.
“She was kind and generous and wished to help others less fortunate than herself.
“In 2000 the James family trust was set up with our children as the beneficiaries with us as the trustees.
“The children would be paid shared dividends and loan interests – which gave Hannah a large annual income.”She is said to have mixed heroin with powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl.
Her 74-year-old dad David is the chairman of a luxury property company and said his daughter enjoyed a substantial income from a family trust. Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox recorded a verdict of accidental death due to misadventure.
Pic Credits: Facebook