Ashli Woodgate
Age 20 (born 18 Apr 2004)1 Dec 2024
Norwich, East Anglia (United Kingdom)
Overdose
Ashli passed away in her home. She was studying computer science at UEA and was on a waiting list for a first appointment at a Gender Identity Clinic.
Ashli Woodgate, 20, was found dead at a house on Crummock Road in Earlham, Norwich, on December 1 last year.
The inquest at Norfolk Coroners Court heard that Ashli, who was from Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham, had long struggled with depression and anxiety and had been self-medicating with alcohol and drugs since the age of 18-years-old.
Ashli - who was born male but later identified as female - had been diagnosed with gender identity disorder in 2020 and was on a waiting list for treatment. Mother Amy Woodgate described Ashli - who was referred to with female pronouns during the hearing - as “a very bright individual” who moved to Norwich to study computer science at UEA.
The court heard Ashli, who also worked as a part-time bar attendant, met “like-minded people” in the trans community after moving to the city and began a relationship with a close friend.
Ms Woodgate said she last spoke to her child on November 24, when Ashli told her about a trip to Brighton.
However, over the following days, Ms Woodgate was unable to reach Ashli and she became increasingly worried. By November 30, Ashli’s phone was no longer ringing. A friend later called the ambulance service, and Ashli was found dead at home.
A statement from Penny Voyce, a fellow UEA student who had been in an on-off relationship with Ashli, said: “Ashli told me a few times that drugs were the only thing making her happy.”
The inquest heard Ashli had sought help from Change Grow Live, a service supporting people with alcohol and drug problems. Recording a conclusion of drug-related death, area coroner for Norfolk Yvonne Blake said: “I’m very sorry about your daughter. It’s a terrible thing to happen. You feel so helpless as parents to deal with this.”
Ashli was born in Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham.
Source: email
https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25548009.uea-student-ashli-woodgate-died-fatal-crystal-meth-dose/ [archive]
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25106902.uea-student-20-dies-norwich-taking-meth/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1228918942587024&id=100064067882089&set=a.636558638489727
