Published 20:31 IST, August 10th 2020
Caroline Flack allegedly committed suicide amid fears of prosecution, says coroner
A London Coroner said that British TV presenter Caroline Flack died by suicide after learning that she will be 'prosecuted for certainty'. Read details.
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British TV presenter Caroline Flack, who was best known for hosting Love Island UK, died by suicide on February 15. At the time of her death, she was awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting her 27-year-old boyfriend Lewis Burton. London Coroner Mary Hassell said that Caroline chose to take her own life after she learned that she will be 'prosecuted for certainty' and feared press intrusion.
Coroner says Caroline Flack died by suicide because she feared prosecution
As reported by PA Media news agency, Coroner Mary Hassell said on August 6 that the way Caroline Flack's case played out in the media was 'incredibly difficult' on her. Hassell made her statement in an inquest at Poplar Coroner's Court in London. She returned a 'determination of suicide' in her statement to the court.
Mary added that the Love Island host also feared a loss of her career. Noting that her fluctuating mental health was also an important factor, Hassell said that at that point Flack was aware that was going to be prosecuted for certainty. The Coroner further said that Caroline Flack knew it would all come down on her to face the media, public, and the press.
The inquest revealed that Caroline Flack had learned that prosecutors were going ahead with her case just a day before her suicide. According to PA, the presenter's friends say that Flack believed that the case would be dismissed. The report also revealed that prosecutor Kate Weiss reviewed the decision to charge Caroline a week after the assault instead of issuing a caution.
The prosecutor cited various factors when making her case for pressing ahead, including the violence involved. She also stated that Lewis Burton was sleeping at the time of the alleged assault and said that caution is rare when it comes to a domestic violence case. The police also said that Caroline Flack showed no remorse when she was interviewed.
As reported by PA, the inquest also revealed that the British presenter told the police that officers that she hit Burton because he was cheating on her. This incident happened when they arrived at the scene of the alleged assault in December. Flack had pleaded not guilty of assaulting her partner. She was released on bail and was awaiting a trial in March. Flack was replaced as the host on Love Island UK just days after her arrest.
10:10 IST, August 7th 2020