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BBC presenter died in scalding bath after taking five times lethal level of cocaine with fiancé Mark Speight
Last updated at 14:07pm on 03.04.08An actress died in her bathtub after taking five times the lethal amount of cocaine during a drink and drug binge, an inquest heard yesterday.
Natasha Collins, 31, and her fiancé, the children's TV presenter Mark Speight, had been partying at their penthouse flat the night before her scalded body was found.
The couple, who had consumed wine and vodka and taken cocaine and a sleeping pill each, had 'ignored the risks', said coroner Dr Paul Knapman.
It was not until the following afternoon that Speight, 42, who was known to millions of youngsters for presenting BBC children's art programme SMart, woke to find his fiancé dead.
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Speight found his fiancée's badly burned body in the bath at their home after they had 'partied' on cocaine, sleeping pills, wine and vodka
She had got up first to take a bath but is believed to have lost consciousness after getting in, leaving the hot tap running.
At Westminster Coroner's Court, Dr Knapman concluded her death was caused by the combination of a 'very significant' amount of cocaine and the hot bath, which resulted in scalding to 60 per cent of her body.
It was also discovered that she had a hole in the septum of her nose measuring roughly one centimetre across - a sign of regular cocaine abuse.
Recording a verdict of misadventure, he said: 'Even if the hot tap had not been going, the inquest has heard that this was sufficient cocaine to kill people anyway. A bad situation was made worse.'
After Miss Collins was found dead on January 3, Speight was arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying Class A drugs. But the death was not found to be suspicious and he was released without charge.
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Speight looks gaunt as he arrives for the inquest into his fiancee's death today
However, he gave up his job and his career as a children's presenter is in ruins.
The couple, who had been at home celebrating having time off work together over the Christmas period, both took cocaine the night before Miss Collins's death.
A post-mortem examination showed her blood contained a by-product of cocaine at a level of 3.42mg per litre. A level of just 0.7mg per litre can be fatal, depending on an individual's reaction to the drug, the inquest heard.
Speight, who wore jeans, a black jacket and black T-shirt to the inquest in Central London, appeared as a witness but was asked only if he wished to add anything to the evidence heard.
He declined to tell his own version of events of the night of Miss Collins's death, replying only: 'No. Not that I can think of at the moment.'
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Speight, the presenter of BBC children's show SMart, met Collins while filming another children's show, See It Saw It.
However, police officers described how they found him in 'a distraught condition' and pleading for help for his fiancé after they were called to the couple's rented £500,000 flat in St John's Wood, north London.
Paramedics attending the scene attached a defibrillator to Miss Collins's heart but it was ' perfectly clear' she was already dead.
Speight was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying Class A drugs but Scotland Yard later said he would not face charges
When first asked whether Miss Collins had taken anything, Speight said she had taken 'a little bit of cocaine'. He later said they had both taken recreational drugs before going to bed at around 4am.
It was not until around 1.15pm the following day that he woke up and found Miss Collins in the bath.
Police found sleeping tablets by the bath and a bottle of Moet and Chandon champagne next to their bed. Dr Knapman, who recorded Miss Collins's cause of death as 'cocaine toxicity and immersion in hot water', said: 'In the privacy of their flat, they had embarked on adventurous behaviour, ignoring the risks and she has suffered the consequences by the ending of her life.
'This is a very significant amount of cocaine and higher than the level this court normally deals with. It is a tragedy of course for all concerned.'
Miss Collins, an actress, model and presenter, received a 'dramatic brain injury' when she was involved in a road accident in May 2001, which left her with short-term memory loss and post-traumatic stress, the inquest heard.
But the hearing was told she had 'never expressed suicidal thoughts and her manner was generally upbeat'.
Speight, who looked close to tears following the inquest, declined to comment but issued a joint statement with Miss Collins's mother, Carmen.
'Natasha was a loving daughter, fiancé, sister and friend with a very positive attitude towards life,' they said. 'She will always remain in our hearts.'
Reader views (3)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I am sure that there have been many comments made that these two individuals are drug takers and children television presenters. However, I am sure that most people would be surprised by the number of drug users in high profile professions. People do sometimes look for escapism from pressure of stressful jobs and their daily lives. I am not supporting its use but it doesn't make them bad people. Sadly, this is one episode that ended in the death of two talented and young individuals. Who will both be dearly missed.
- Jacquie, UK
How sad that the beautiful young woman had died from all the drugs and drink. Why are so many people taking all that stuff. They have too much money and must be very unhappy about their lives. Pity!
- Helen Mc Allister, San Diego,ca.
I am sorry about the unnecessary and wasteful death of the young woman. However, I would like to see the BBC vet their presenters more especially those who present children's programmes.
The society is just deteriorating steadily beneath our very eyes daily.
Fancy two drug takers hosting children's programmes. Where is the example?
- Venelle, London, UK
