Teen's 14-a-day gum habit may have killed her
An inquest has heard that excessive consumption of chewing gum may have contributed to the death of a 'vibrant, happy and fun-loving' teenager.
The hearing was told Samantha Jenkins, 19, collapsed after complaining of headaches and suffered violent fits, days shy of celebrating her 20th birthday.
She fell into a coma on June 3, 2011, and died three days later.
Pathologist Dr Paul Griffiths told the inquest on Tuesday chewing gum had been found in the teen's stomach, and she had low nutrient levels which may have been caused by malabsorption.
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The retail worker's mother told the Coroner's Court how she discovered hundreds of sugar-free gum wrappers inside her daughter's room.
‘She went upstairs that night and suddenly shouted down to me, “Is this what it feels like to die? I feel paralysed”,’ Maria Morgan told the inquest.
‘I want answers for my beautiful little girl so that we as a family can finally have closure and that maybe there could be changes in awareness of these additives and warnings on packets.’
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