A newly qualified teacher died after being left “traumatised” by an incident where she was stripped naked in a police cell, an inquest has heard.
Jorja Watt, 27, had been preparing to start an exciting new teaching role abroad when she tragically passed away in September.
An inquest at Preston Coroners’ Court heard that Jorja, who had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), had previously been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker during a night out.
Her mum Maria told the court she was ‘traumatised’ after being ‘stripped and left naked in a cell’ and feared the incident would wreck her dreams of teaching.
Jorja’s mental health spiraled, she added, and she started taking prescription medication in a bid to ‘self-medicate’, Lancs Live reports.
The inquest heard she was found unresponsive at her friend Charlie’s home in Heysham early on September 1.
Charlie’s mother Voirrey Wilde told the court: ‘At around one 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 examination showed Jorja had several prescription medications in her system at the time of her death – including heroin substitute methadone.
Her cause of death was listed as multi-medication toxicity, with EUPD cited 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.’
Maria described her daughter as ‘quietly spoken, intelligent and kind’. The coroner also agreed Jorja was ‘very much a free spirit’.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: ‘We received a complaint in March 2024 related to this matter. The complaint remains under review by our Professional Standards Department.
‘At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
