Mystery surrounds the death of Gabrielle Varley, 25, who was found lifeless at her Exeter home on September 25, 2024, with bruises on her face. An inquest at Devon Coroners' Court on Thursday, June 25, heard that neither a pathologist nor toxicologist could definitively determine the cause of her death.
Varley's sister, Charlotte Varley, stated that during their last phone conversation, Gabrielle reported not having slept or eaten and was experiencing stomach cramps. Her sister described Gabrielle as having a significant alcohol problem, consuming two to three large bottles of vodka daily, a habit that worsened in 2024.
A friend, Byron North, found Varley after becoming concerned when she failed to respond to messages. He gained entry to her home through a downstairs window and found her unresponsive. Despite attempts at CPR and the arrival of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
While medics noted facial bruising, police concluded there was no evidence of third-party involvement in her death. Toxicology reports revealed toxic levels of paracetamol in Varley's system and observed necrotic tissue in the liver. However, it remained undetermined whether the paracetamol contributed to her death or if the liver damage occurred before or after she died.
The court also heard that Varley had a history of epilepsy and anxiety. Her GP, Dr. David Hopkins, noted a background of alcohol use, toxic relationships, and a limited social network. The coroner, Deborah Archer, stated that Varley lived a solitary life and that her epilepsy was exacerbated by regular drug and alcohol use. Evidence suggested a risk of sudden death associated with alcohol use among epilepsy patients, but a direct link could not be established in this case.
Ultimately, the coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that while a toxic level of paracetamol was identified, it was impossible to determine if her death was caused by an overdose or an epileptic seizure. The coroner added that any seizure activity was likely exacerbated by her chronic alcohol use.
Varley had recently returned from Grenada, where she had documented her life on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, sharing videos of herself dancing and attending parties. In one August 2024 post, she wrote about moving to the Caribbean island alone because she was sad in the UK.