High flying accountant died outside her front door after falling down stairs while drunk

Uncategorised • 23rd June 2014

A high flying city accountant died when she slipped down the stairs to her basement flat after a boozy night out, an inquest has heard.

Jemma Brownlee, aged 29, from Balsall Common, fractured her skull in the fall outside her home – and her body was only discovered 15 hours later.

Miss Brownlee was found after her worried mum raised the alarm when she failed to meet up the next day as arranged.

The tragic accident happened at her flat in Pimlico, London, on 14th April.

An inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court heard that Jemma, a senior tax manager for London accountants Deloitte, had been for a night out with friends in Soho.

Tests revealed she had 218mg of alcohol in 100ml of her blood, more than two-and-half times the legal drink-drive limit of 80mg.

Experts ruled out foul play because Jemma’s handbag and contents was untouched next to her.

The inquest was given a statement by Miss Brownlee’s brother, Christopher, which read: “She is greatly missed by all her family and friends.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant Westminster coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe described Jemma, who went to Heart of England School, as “a bright and capable woman” and said it was “a terrible tragedy for a girl of 29 in such a wonderful position in life and with a successful career” to die in such circumstances.

“Clearly she had left the pub under the influence of alcohol and would have been undoubtedly intoxicated, which left her at risk of slipping,” added the coroner.

“It is a terrible tragedy for a girl of 29 in such a wonderful position in life and with a successful career, she was a bright and capable woman.

“Sadly, it’s a very clear situation and I shall therefore record that Jemma Brownlee has died from cerebral oedema due to ethanol toxicity.”