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Woman, 23, died after collapsing at home

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2 hours ago

9 May 2026

NewsAdmin

Seren Lowri Smith was found unresponsive on the floor of her home

10:16, 09 May 2026

A 23-year-old woman died of a cocaine overdose. Seren Lowri Smith was found unresponsive late on the night of August 29 last year on the floor at her home, Gwent coroner’s court heard.

Ms Smith, of Blackwood in Caerphilly county, had been taking the Class A drug recreationally and died as a result of its toxic effects, said coroner Rose Farmer.

Paramedics provided advanced life support and took Ms Smith to Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, where resuscitation attempts continued, but those efforts failed and death was confirmed at 2.10am on August 30.

Ms Farmer said: “Seren had started using drugs recreationally. There is no evidence to suggest that Seren took cocaine with the intention of ending her life.”

The coroner recorded a conclusion of drug-related death and expressed her condolences to Ms Smith’s family.

Why we cover inquests – and why it’s so important that we do

As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others’ lives.

The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice.

It’s a journalist’s duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person’s death.

But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening.

Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account.

Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide.

Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.

Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person’s family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others.

Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost.

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Woman, 23, died after collapsing at home

Seren Lowri Smith was found unresponsive on the floor of her home

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