Parents Hope Hearing Will End Year-Long Wait For Answers

The parents of a university student are hoping an upcoming inquest will end their year-long wait for answers about her sudden death. 

Natasha Abrahart, a second year physics student at the University of Bristol, died on 30 April last year. She was 20-years-old and originally from Nottingham.

Natasha was the tenth of 13 University of Bristol students who are suspected to have taken their own lives since October 2016. 

An inquest is now due to start on 7 May, where the Senior Coroner for Avon is expected to examine the events leading up to Natasha’s death, including her contact with University staff, GPs at the Student Health Service, and staff from the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Her parents, Robert and Margaret of West Bridgford, Nottingham, said: “Every parent wants to know that their child is safe when they leave home for the first time and go to university.

“Nothing could have prepared us for the situation our family now finds itself in. The last year and attempting to try and come to terms with Natasha’s death has been incredibly traumatic.

“Natasha was loved by everyone who knew her and had such a bright future. We think about her every day.

“We have a number of concerns about the events that unfolded in the lead up to Natasha’s death and whether more could have been done to help her.  We hope that the inquest will thoroughly examine these concerns, not only for Natasha but also to help protect other young people studying at universities across the country.”

Natasha had passed her first-year with good marks, her family said.  Her hobbies included cooking and baking, playing piano, and indoor climbing.

Natasha’s parents have instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell and Garden Court Chambers to represent them at the inquest.

Expert Opinion

“The number of deaths of students at University of Bristol is understandably a cause of grave concern for many parents and for society at large.

“Robert and Margaret have been devastated by the loss of their talented and intelligent daughter. The last year has been incredibly difficult for them.

“Natasha’s parents hope that the inquest will provide them with the answers they deserve about the events leading up to her death.” Gus Silverman - Associate Solicitor

An inquest into Natasha’s death will take place before Maria Voisin, Senior Coroner for Avon, at Flax Bourton Coroner’s Court and is listed for two weeks.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's work in supporting families through inquests