A tragic incident unfolded at a flat in Prestwich when a young mum, Kimberley McAssey, lay without breathing for 30 hours before an ambulance was finally called, an inquest revealed. The 29-year-old was found dead in bed at her friend Ryan Sheridan’s home in 2021. Reports from Rochdale Coroners Court detailed the events that led to her death after she and Mr. Sheridan had consumed a mix of alcohol and MDMA. Despite Ms. McAssey becoming unresponsive in the early hours of February 20, Mr. Sheridan failed to seek help until the following morning, when he messaged his mum, Emma Heydon. Ms. Heydon eventually made the emergency call after returning to the flat, sparking a police investigation into the tragic incident.
At the inquest, Ms. Heydon recounted Mr. Sheridan’s version of events, where he described the night of drinking, drug use, and intimacy with Ms. McAssey. Mr. Sheridan claimed that after realizing Ms. McAssey had stopped breathing, he attempted to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but to no avail. A delay in contacting emergency services was noted, with Ms. Heydon explaining that she had left briefly to buy sandwiches before making the critical 999 call. The inquest also heard testimonies from a forensic pathologist and a toxicologist, with suggestions that the presence of MDMA in Ms. McAssey’s blood could have been a contributing factor to her death. However, due to the state of decomposition when emergency services arrived, the exact cause of death was inconclusive, leaving the medical cause of death as ‘undetermined.’
Heartbreak engulfed Ms. McAssey’s loved ones, including her mother, Karrie McAssey, who described her daughter as ‘cheeky, funny, silly, one in a million.’ She painted a picture of a devoted mother and a vibrant soul whose smile could light up any room. The tragic loss of Ms. McAssey has left a void in her family’s lives, with her mother expressing the profound impact of her passing. The details surrounding the timeline and response to the emergency have raised questions during the ongoing inquest, shedding light on the events leading up to the young mum’s untimely death.
In summary, the heartbreaking account of Kimberley McAssey’s passing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely intervention and the devastating consequences of drug misuse. The inquest into her death unveils a sequence of events that tragically culminated in the loss of a beloved daughter, mother, and friend. As the investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of a vibrant soul and seeks answers to prevent such a heartbreaking incident from occurring again.