Mum pays tribute to ‘intelligent, sensitive’ teenager (From York Press)

Tributes paid to Toni Haw, 19

9:19am Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

A TEENAGER was found in bed by her mother with an empty bottle of spirits and empty packets of anti-malarial tablets nearby, an inquest was told.

Toni Haw’s speech was slurred and her mother, Hilary, called an ambulance to take her to York Hospital, said York deputy coroner Jonathan Leach. She died shortly afterwards, early last Thursday.

Mr Leach said Toni, 19, of Gale Lane in Acomb, had had a history of stress and social anxiety and had been due to see a mental health worker last Wednesday, but had not attended.

Later that night, her mother had gone to her bedroom to see her before retiring for the night and found the empty spirits bottle on a bedside table and two empty packets and one half empty packet of tablets in the bed.

He said Toni told her mother the tablets were anti-malarial. Following her death in hospital, her mother identified her body. Mr Leach said the results of toxicology tests were awaited and adjourned the inquest to a later date.

After the inquest, Mrs Haw paid tribute to her daughter, telling The Press: “Toni was an intelligent, sensitive young woman with a wonderful sense of humour.

“Many of her friends may not have been aware of her anxiety issues and are deeply shocked and upset.

“Her family are very grateful for the good wishes there have been from all who knew her.”