Jeni Larmour died only hours after her mother dropped her off at university (Pictures: Instagram/@jenilarmour4)
A bright student with the world at her feet died after taking a cocktail of ketamine and alcohol, an inquest has heard.
Jeni Larmour, 18, from Newtownhamilton, Northern Ireland, was found lifeless by paramedics at Newcastle University at around 5am on October 3, 2020.
Yet she was found ‘stiff’ by a student as early as 10pm the previous night only hours after her mother dropped her off, Newcastle Coroner’s Court heard today.
Pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper said: ‘She had arrived in Newcastle from Northern Ireland the previous day, she had been with other occupants of her flat on that evening, alcohol had been consumed and there were indications that other substances may have been taken as well.’
A toxicology report found Jeni’s blood alcohol level was 197mg per 100ml — around two and a half times the legal driving limit.
Her tests showed she had 1.3mg of ketamine per litre of blood, a level below what would usually be considered fatal.
Her mother described her as a rising star (Picture: Instagram/@jenilarmour4)
A toxicology report found she only had a low level of ketamine in her bloodstream (Picture: Instagram/@jenilarmour4)
But the two together proved fatal for Jeni, Dr Cooper said, as they dulled her nervous system down.
On the night of her death, the urban planning and architecture student collapsed at her student accommodation along Richardson Road.
It would be difficult to say exactly when Jeni died, he added, but ketamine can cause death ‘pretty quickly’.
‘The paramedics seem to have been sure she was very obviously dead, if they feel there is any spark of life they would usually attempt resuscitation,’ he said.
‘Hypostasis discolouration would suggest she had been dead for some hours when she was found at around 5am.’
Jeni’s mother, Sandra Larmour, told the court how her daughter was a whip-smart student, gifted singer and warm-hearted person.
Jeni Larmour’s death has left her family with a ‘huge void’ (Picture: Instagram/@jenilarmour4)
Sandra always knew her daughter was destined for greatness. After all, she said, from the age of nine Jeni was determined to attend the top grammar school Royal School Armagh.
She did just that before later becoming the school’s deputy head girl — again, Sandra wasn’t surprised.
Her mother said: ‘Jeni’s bag was always packed and I am proud she had a varied experience of life in her limited years.
‘Her death has left a huge void that will never be filled.
‘It is a huge loss to me, her father David, brother Daniel and our extended family. I also believe it is a huge loss to Newcastle University and the planning world she would have joined.’
Jeni achieved four A* A-levels on top of an advanced diploma in signing at London’s Trinity School.
As much as she was someone with an ‘electric personality’, Sandra said, Jeni was ‘unassuming’ and always stayed humble.
‘These are some of the big things but there were little things as well; witty one-liners and her infectious loud laugh,’ Sandra added.
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‘Snuggling with me on the sofa watching a movie, or sitting crosslegged on the bed telling me all the gossip, or in her words, “the biz.”
‘Finding little notes scribbled on a notepad saying, “I love you, Sandra, from Jeni”.’
Jeni was one of four people to die in suspected drugs-related incidents in the north east over a single weekend.
Jeni’s flatmate, Kavir Kalliecharan, 19, was initially arrested on suspicion of dealing her drugs but this was downgraded to having personal possession.
At a trial last June, he claimed Jeni had supplied the drugs to him as he was convicted of all charges, having pleaded guilty.
Kalliecharan claimed at Newcastle magistrates court he took ill and passed out and awoke to find Jeni sprawled on the room floor before starting CPR.
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‘Her death has left a huge void that will never be filled.’