Success to squalor, the demon of drink

Lindsey Graham

OLDHAM’S coroner has issued a stark warning about the dangers of alcohol after a woman “with the world at her feet” died in squalor following a battle with alcoholism.

Lindsey Graham (51) had held down a number of good jobs, including working as nanny in Bahrain and going into business with her stepfather. She was described by her family as an extrovert who had the world at her feet.

But it all came crashing down when she became addicted to alcohol following the breakdown of a relationship. Her habit cost Lindsey her car, her home and her job before she was eventually found dead in her rented flat in Oldham Road, Failsworth in August last year surrounded by empty spirit bottles.

She had died of complications which were the result of chronic alcoholism and a lack of food.

Coroner Simon Nelson told the hearing that the problem of alcohol abuse is so acute that half of the cases he deals with now involve drug or alcohol abuse.

He said: “Lindsey is yet another victim of the downward spiral that affects someone who has a chronic addiction to alcohol.

“It’s a sad picture which is presented, especially for someone like Lindsey, who had a lot to offer.”

Lindsey’s mum, Marion Land told the inquest that the family had grown up in Cheshire and Lindsey had worked across Britain and abroad before going to live back at home for some time.

But although the family had initially got on well, problems emerged when Lindsey developed a drink problem and she moved to her own home in Stockport before moving to Oldham seven years ago.

In March last year Lindsey was admitted to hospital after she fractured her neck and spine after falling down stairs and she went on a detox programme.

But she began drinking again in August and her friend, Alison Hester, described the harrowing days leading up to her death, during which she sustained more injuries from falls.

Mrs Land added: “The world was Lindsey’s oyster at one point.”

n Coroner Simon Nelson also recorded a narrative verdict in the case of Stephen Wright (42), who was found dead at his home in Bradford Street on November 2 with twice the legal alcohol limit and an overdose of prescription drug, tramadol in his bloodstream. Mr Nelson said that he could not be sure that Stephen had taken an overdose with a view to ending his life.