‘Traumatised’ teacher, 27, died after she was stripped and left naked in police cell, inquest told
A TEACHER died after she was left "traumatised" by being stripped and left naked in a police cell, an inquest heard.
Jorja Watt, 27, had been looking forward to starting a new job abroad when she was discovered dead at her friend's home.
The tragedy came just weeks after she had been arrested on a night out on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
Jorja, who had been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, was "stripped and left naked in a cell", an inquest heard.
Her mum Marie told the court she had been left "traumatised" and feared it would spell the end of her dream teaching career.
As a result, Jorja's mental health spiralled and she began to take prescription medication in an attempt to "self-medicate", reports.
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Preston Coroner's Court heard she was found unresponsive at her friend Charlie's home on September 1 last year.
Charlie's mum Voirrey Wilde said: "At around 1 o'clock I woke up to Charlie shouting 'Jorja' repeatedly.
"I knew something was wrong. I found her slumped on the sofa. Her lips were blue and she was unresponsive."
A post mortem showed Jorja had several prescription medications in her system at the time of her death - including heroin substitute methadone.
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Her cause of death was listed as multi-medication toxicity with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder listed as a contributory factor.
Recording a verdict of misadventure, Area Coroner Kate Bisset said: "I think it is right to record this is not someone who is taking drugs for a high and chasing a thrill.
"Her mental health was a real battle for her and taking medication was an attempt to win that battle."
Marie described her daughter as "quietly spoken, intelligent and kind".
She said that although Jorja was a "free spirit", she had a nice flat and a job at a local college.
The sentiment was echoed by the coroner, who said: "Jorja was very much a free spirit.
"She obviously had a core of real steel in her to complete a degree over six years and maintain a job while going through these struggles and that shows a real strength of character."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
