Paige Greenaway endured 'most tragic circumstances' before her death in Brighton

Paige Greenaway was found dead at her home in Richmond Terrace, Brighton, on Sunday, February 9 last year.

The 23-year-old had appeared in a BBC 3 documentary about people living on the streets of Brighton and Hove in 2017, when she was 21.

An inquest into her death began on October 15 and a provisional cause of death was given as hanging.

READ MORE: Coroner halts inquest for Paige Greenaway in Brighton

But the coroner halted proceedings when Paige’s mother Edell Greenaway alleged her daughter’s partner had “been involved” in her death.

The inquest was adjourned so police could interview Paige’s family and the hearing resumed today at Sussex County Cricket Ground.

Detective Sergeant Chris Lane said the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team found no evidence of foul play and Paige’s family had decided to withdraw the allegation.

DS Lane said: “The family accepted the evidence that was heard and had given up the allegation in relation to Paige’s partner.

“There were no messages on Paige’s phone to suggest she was in fear for her safety from her partner or anyone else.

“I’m satisfied this was not an unlawful killing.”

Senior coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said Paige’s partner had been “completely and utterly exonerated”.

SEE ALSO: 'Heart of gold' – young woman who slept in graveyard dies

At the first hearing, the court head Paige’s partner had called police on Sunday, February 9, when she had not answered the door to him, following a disagreement between the couple the previous day.

He had received a text message from Paige which expressed suicidal intent the day before and he had become worried about her.

Two officers attended the flat shortly before 8pm and forced entry when there was no answer, and found Paige had died.

Paige had been diagnosed with the genetic disorder triple X syndrome when she was young and had a moderate learning disability. She had also been diagnosed with ADHD as a child and was later diagnosed with anxiety, depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Paige Greenaway. Photo: BBC

Paige, who had two young children, had lived on the streets in Brighton and Hove for seven years of her life and had used substances including cannabis and crack cocaine as a coping strategy for her mental health problems.

Paige was supported by various agencies in the city, including the Clock Tower Sanctuary, the Rise charity for victims of domestic abuse and services for drug and alcohol support.

She was referred to the Mental Health Assessment and Treatment Service (ATS) in Brighton through her GP in August 2019, having previously been discharged after not attending several appointments.

Lead practitioner Laura Murphy supported Paige in the months leading up to her death and reported she struggled to deal with distress and could be impulsive, but was making progress with her substance misuse.

She said: “Paige was very honest that she did sometimes overuse her medication due to mood swings and impulsivity. I felt that was the main risk.

“We arranged two-day pick-ups for her quetiapine medication so if she were to overdose, it would not be a toxic level.

“It was extremely upsetting to find out about her death as I felt she was in a better place and had not been relying on her substance misuse as much as she had previously.”

The coroner described the support Paige received from the ATS as “exceptional” but highlighted the problem which exists for people experiencing substance misuse problems as well as mental health issues.

She said: “Very often people will be told they need to sort out their substance misuse before they can be treated for their mental health, and vice versa. This is not limited to Brighton and Hove but is to some extent worldwide.

“I think it’s probably about time services realised this problem is huge, so they can treat people holistically.”

At the time of her death Paige was living in a privately rented bedsit and had been due to “start afresh” at a flat in Newhaven, but this arrangement had fallen through, the court heard.

The coroner concluded Paige had carried out a “deliberate and impulsive act” to take her own life.

She said: “This is one of the most tragic combinations of circumstances I’ve come across in many years.

“Triple X syndrome goes hand in hand with other difficulties in communication and Paige had one of the most difficult mental health diagnoses, emotionally unstable personality disorder.

“She battled with all these conditions and it is perhaps not surprising she used substances to control her feelings and calm herself. Her life was very stressful.

“Overlaying everything was the fact that she was going through extra bureaucracy to maintain contact with her children.

“I don’t think any of the matters concerning her support or treatment or housing situation was actually directly involved in her death. There was a disagreement with her partner and it was a difficult time.”

Ms Hamilton-Deeley concluded Paige had died on February 8, and said: “Even if Paige’s partner had gone back to the flat after a reasonable time after a confrontation, it still would have been too late. He should not feel guilty.”

Paige touched viewers’ hearts when she appeared in Love And Drugs On The Street in 2017, in which she was seen living in a tent in the graveyard at St Nicholas Church, in Dyke Road.

Many friends paid tribute to her online, with one writing that she had " a heart of gold".

Speaking at the inquest, Ms Murphy said it had been a “privilege” to support Paige.

She said: “She was gregarious and had an excellent sense of humour. I wish I could have worked with her longer.”