A young mum died in her flat after taking laughing gas while she had a chest infection.
Kira Booth, 21, was found by her support worker last November, an inquest held at Preston Coroner’s Court heard.
A number of nitrous oxide containers were also found in her flat.
This included one on the floor near her bed, one down the back of a sofa, and 18 packaged up, ready to be thrown out.
Some empty and used tablet strips, as well as two snap bags possibly containing cocaine, were also found.
Detective Inspector Steven Slater said there was no evidence of third-party involvement in her death or of her being injured.
What is laughing gas? And what does it do to the body?
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a rapid-acting inhaled form of anaesthesia, often used in dental clinics and childbirth.
The gas slows down the body’s nervous system, making people feel calm and euphoric, and eases anxiety. Inhaling nitrous oxide won’t put someone fully to sleep.
It’s also used as a propellant for canned whipped cream.
Health experts say the inhalant is safe in small doses – if used frequently, however, it’s a different story.
The gas can switch off vitamin B12, making the Swiss army knife nutrient that does everything from helping bodies make DNA to red blood cells useless. If left untreated, B12 deficiency can cause permanent spinal cord and nervous system damage.
Between 2001 and 2020, there were 56 deaths involving the gas in England and Wales.
It’s a Class C drug in the UK. Nitrous oxide is the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England, though its usage has been declining. According to the Global Drug Survey, it was the 14th most popular drug in the world in 2021.
A post-mortem examination revealed there was no trauma related to her death, and a toxicology report showed there was recent cocaine use, but no other compounds were detected.
Coroner Kate Bissett said there was no evidence Kira wanted to take her own life because she had a ‘strong will to live’ and had ‘worked through her difficulties’.
She said: ‘Kira wasn’t someone who had given up on normal life and was engaging in all sorts of drugs.
‘She was someone who managed her problems by having a positive time experimenting with substances. She was not a habitual user.’
She added that nitrous oxide cannot be detected by toxicology examinations as it leaves the body when somebody dies.
The coroner read out evidence from Kira’s mum, Carla Booth, who said her daughter had struggled with her mental health.
Kira had borderline personality disorder, had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act a number of times in her life, and had left home of her own accord at a young age.
Need support?
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS, the Prevention of Young Suicide UK.
Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
She was moved to a flat in Burnley, Lancashire, from a mother and baby unit, and her baby was taken into care in July last year. She was allowed to see her child three times a week.
Carla said her daughter, who had told social workers previously about mental health struggles with hearing voices, had not been active on social media for 24 hours before her death.
They had not been aware she was taking drugs until the end of her life.
She was described by her family as a ‘very kind and generous’ person who enjoyed sports like swimming, gymnastics, football, and dancing.
A conclusion of misadventure was recorded, and Ms Bissett said: ‘Kira Booth died on November 12, 2024, at her home address, having consumed nitrous oxide whilst suffering with a chest infection.’
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