Interior Designer Emma Neame Dies After Struggle with Mental Health

Emma Neame, a 38-year-old interior designer from South London, was found dead in her garden after battling dr*g addiction and mental health problems. An inquest held at South London Coroner’s Court in Croydon revealed the tragic details.

Emma had been a talented designer. She worked with many businesses and later started her own company, Emma Neame Interiors, in 2021. But after her relationship ended in April 2023, she began to face serious emotional and financial issues.

Emma had twin children with her former partner, Simon Mortlock. The couple had been together for years but separated in 2023. After the breakup, she moved to a flat in Thornton Heath. Her family said she did not like the new place and felt very lonely.

Her mother, Marina Neame, told the court that Emma’s mental health had been fragile for a long time. She struggled with anxiety and depression from the age of 17. She also suffered from bulimia for three years and had joined an eating disorder clinic.

At the end of 2022, Emma began using dr*gs more often. She became reliant on ketamine, a powerful dr*g known for causing hallucinations and physical problems. She also used cocaine and was found with Xanax in her system.

Emma’s health got worse. The dr*gs damaged her bladder and bowel. She often felt pain and was overwhelmed by her growing debts. Her mother and grandmother said she was finding it hard to manage daily life.

In February 2024, Emma visited her mother in France. During the trip, she seemed hopeful and said she was excited about a new design project.

On March 12, 2024, she spoke to her mother and ex-partner. She said she had a sore throat and fever but was looking forward to work. But the next day, Simon Mortlock found her body in the garden of her flat. She had hanged herself.

He saw dr*gs in the kitchen and thought she might have gone to the hospital. When he returned, he found her outside and tried CPR, but she had already died.

The coroner, Laura Stephenson, did not rule the case as suicide. She said there was no note, and Emma had regretted earlier suicide attempts. The dr*gs may have affected her thinking. Ketamine can cause confusion and hallucinations. In some cases, people have died accidentally after taking it.

Ms. Stephenson said: “Emma was creative and talented. But she was using dr*gs to cope with stress, pain, and loneliness. It is likely the dr*gs affected her mind and actions.”

Emma’s story highlights the dangers of dr*g use and mental health struggles. Her family remembered her as a proud mother, a kind daughter, and a gifted designer.