A YOUNG couple was found dead in their flat, prompting a major crime investigation. Aleasha Sullivan, aged 32, and Joshua Sandercock, aged 30, were discovered at Aleasha’s home after concerns were raised by her support worker, who had not seen or heard from her. Aleasha had been reported missing to police on October 21, 2021. When police arrived at her flat, they saw a body against the door, and upon gaining entry, they discovered that Joshua’s body was also inside the living room upstairs.
However, a post-mortem examination concluded that the deaths were due to different natural causes, and there was no evidence to suggest any connection between them. The police initially treated the flat as a potential crime scene, but after the post-mortem examination, extensive investigations, and forensic, medical, and police investigations, there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths and no signs of a disturbance at the property or third-party involvement.
Aleasha had a history of drug dependency, mental health problems, and clotting problems in her legs, which can be made worse through intravenous drug use. Her medical records showed that she had spent some time in prison but was engaging with support services and was motivated to improve her situation. The inquest heard that she began a relationship with Joshua in May 2021, but it became abusive, and on September 22, 2021, he was arrested for alleged violence against her.
The Home Office forensic pathologist, Dr Deborah Cook, concluded that Aleasha died of pulmonary thromboembolism, a blood clot in her lungs. Although Aleasha had taken heroin before her death, the level detected was not associated with fatalities, and it did not account for her death. There were no signs of any trauma to her body, suggesting there had been a physical assault or fall down the stairs.
On the other hand, Joshua’s cause of death was confirmed as pneumonia. Toxicology tests showed that he had taken methadone, which he had not been prescribed, in the hours before his death. The amount consumed was not generally associated with fatalities, depending on an individual’s tolerance to it, and cannabis was also detected. Pathologist Dr Cook said that the methadone may have tipped the balance in a man suffering pneumonia to result in respiratory compromise that resulted in death. She added that she was unable to say whether he had died before Aleasha, but no physical injuries were found that could have contributed to his death.
Medical records revealed Joshua had a history of asthma, alcohol abuse, substance misuse, including cocaine and cannabis, and mental health struggles. He had previously suffered overdoses related to his drug taking. His stepmother described how he had a troubled childhood after getting in with the wrong crowd from the age of 13 and was first arrested by police when he was 18. She recalled how problems with alcohol meant he could not hold down a job.
Recording a natural causes conclusion for Joshua’s death, assistant coroner Mike Bird said that there was no evidence to suggest the deaths were connected in any way other than coincidentally. He added that neither one of them had anything to do with the death of the other.
A statement from Joshua’s stepmother said that they had seemed happy together, although it was a volatile relationship on both sides. She continued that Joshua had alcohol issues, used drugs and battled depression over the last 10 years but remained a devoted dad and was loyal and loving to those close to him. She said that she had spoken to him on the phone, and he had sounded “really bunged up” and poorly and said that he and Aleasha had not been getting on.
Aleasha’s family released a tribute that said: “She was a free-spirited, beautiful young lady
