Campaigner hit by stress because her flat was unsellable due to harmful cladding died after alcohol and morphine overdose, inquest finds

A campaigner who suffered from stress and anxiety after her flat was rendered unsellable because of harmful cladding died as a result of misadventure, an inquest has heard.

Amanda Walker previously took her situation to the House of Lords, where she said the costs of fixing fire hazards at her property, including polystyrene behind the walls, was unpayable.

The 51-year-old was found unresponsive at her flat in Clapham, south west London, on January 31 by her mother and sister.

Inner West London Coroners Court heard that a report from a doctor at the Falcon Medical Centre in south west London said she became involved in issues regarding harmful cladding on her building during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Summarising the report to the court on Wednesday, coroner Jean Harkin said: He (the doctor) tells me that during lockdown, Amanda became involved in issues regarding harmful cladding on her building.

Amanda Walker, 51, was found unresponsive at her flat in Clapham, south west London , on January 31 by her mother and sister

Ms Walker previously took her situation to the House of Lords, where she said her situation was like the sword of Damocles over my head for three long years

She did not qualify for assistance to remove that cladding, and that basically rendered her property unsellable, and that caused her a great amount of stress and anxiety.

She campaigned relentlessly to the extent that it took up most her time and also her energy.

She used alcohol and medications to help her get through that difficult period and to help her sleep.

The coroner said Ms Walker died as a result of intoxication from alcohol and a morphine overdose.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Ms Walkers family said residents in her block of flats were told to prepare for repair costs of up to £200,000 and further £3,800 costs of wardens patrolling the building to keep in line with fire safety.

Around six months before her death in July 2023, she took her case to the House of Lords, where she described her situation as like the sword of Damocles over my head for three long years.

She told the Earl of Lytton: What Ive had and whats been difficult - (that is) an understatement - is the threat.

This sword of Damocles over my head for three long years - tomorrow, tomorrow, get ready tomorrow.

I have no idea how much my bill will be - I imagine itll be unpayable (for) most of us.

Recording Ms Walkers death as misadventure, the coroner said: In order for me to be satisfied that Amandas death was suicide, I have to be satisfied of two elements.

One, that Amanda took the alcohol and morphine herself, without assistance of any third person - and I am satisfied of that element on the balance of probability.

However, the second element I have to be satisfied of is that she took the alcohol and the morphine intending to die.

I cannot find that evidence on the balance of probability.

Mrs Harkin added: I therefore give a conclusion of misadventure, and misadventure is purposefully doing something or taking something but not intending the consequence of death.