Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Science student killed herself with caffeine overdose

AN intelligent university science student killed herself by overdosing on caffeine after using her expertise to learn about its toxic levels, an inquest heard.

Sophia Benning, 24, was battling with depression and she bought the stimulant off eBay. In harrowing messages on Reddit, the Salford University student had indicated she wanted to take her own life.


"I'm tired of putting in this facade. I'm tired of putting on a fake smile when I'm emotionally dying," one note read.

She was found dead in her university student accommodation on March 19 after consuming three times the fatal level of caffeine.

Her father Jimmy Singh said Sophia had spoken to a mental health nurse for an hour a day before she took her own life. But she had refused to speak about what she had ordered online.

Her father said: "The mental health nurse had said that these sort of things were trivialised - a lot of people buy things but don't actually do anything with it. They see it as a comfort that it's there.

"It was never established when it was ordered.

"I asked Sophia if she found the consultation helpful and she said she thought the nurse was hilarious. I just remember thinking that it wasn't a jokey matter."

Inquest coroner Alan Walsh recorded a verdict of suicide and said: "I have been a coroner sitting at this court for more than 18 years and this is the first ever death from caffeine toxicity which is a very unusual cause of death.

"Sophia was a very bright and super intelligent young lady with a supportive family who did well on her university course and she had a lot of support from the people in her flat.

"The note she left in her room has a clear indication of intention. I find it extremely sad when somebody on the outside is happy when they are having these thoughts.

"It was her choice she made it clear she didn't want her family to feel any guilt. She wanted to carry out her intention and she wanted people to respect this as her intention. I am extremely saddened, she was 24, and a super bright, highly educated young lady."

More For You

Yoga Day celebrated at UK Parliament

Yoga Day celebrated at UK Parliament

Mahesh Liloriya

The International Siddhashram Shakti Centre UK marked International Yoga Day with a spiritual and interfaith gathering at House of Commons. The event reflected the global theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” and was led by HH Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, global Sanatan Dharma and interfaith leader.

The programme began with a minute’s silence for the victims of the Air India tragedy, followed by prayers from Guruji, Pujya Rishi Ji Maharaj, Shri Niranjan Swami, and Pandit Shiv Puri Ji, with a Navkar Mahamantra chant by Samani Malay Pragya Ji and Neeti Pragya Ji.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tehran-Reuters

People attend a protest against the US attack on nuclear sites, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Iran vows response as US hits nuclear facilities, Israel continues attacks

IRAN on Monday warned of “serious” consequences following US air strikes on its nuclear facilities, as its ongoing conflict with Israel entered the 11th day.

Despite international calls for de-escalation, aerial attacks continued. Air raid sirens were heard across Israel, and AFP reporters confirmed several blasts over Jerusalem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air-India-Reuters

The DGCA’s latest action is not connected to the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard. (Photo: Reuters)

Watchdog warns Air India over pilot duty violations

INDIA’s aviation regulator has warned Air India over repeated violations in scheduling pilots beyond the mandated flight duty time, according to government directives.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to remove three officials involved in crew scheduling – a divisional vice president, a chief manager of crew scheduling, and one planning executive – for lapses linked to two flights from Bengaluru to London on May 16 and 17 that exceeded the 10-hour flight duty limit, Reuters reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump-Iran-attack-Reuters

Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation at the White House following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. (Photo: Reuters)

Trump says US air strikes destroyed Iran nuclear facilities

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Sunday that American air strikes had "totally obliterated" Iran's key nuclear sites, as the United States entered the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The move marked a major escalation in the regional crisis.

In a televised statement, Trump warned that the US would carry out more strikes if Iran did not agree to a peace deal soon. Hours later, Iran launched two waves of attacks on Israel.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK-Pakistan talks may allow deportation of Rochdale child abusers
Adil Khan (left) and Qari Abdul Rauf. (Photo credit: Greater Manchester Police)

UK-Pakistan talks may allow deportation of Rochdale child abusers

PAKISTAN may reconsider accepting two convicted leaders of the Rochdale child sexual abuse gang if direct flights between the UK and Pakistan are restored, a senior Pakistani official has said.

Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, both found guilty of serious child sexual exploitation offences in the UK, were stripped of their British citizenship nearly a decade ago.

Keep ReadingShow less