Morgan-rose Betchley: Inquest To Open Into Self-inflicted Death Of Autistic Young Mother At Sussex Mental Health Hospital

7 November 2024

Before HM Coroner Lisa Milner
County Hall North, Parkside, Chart Way Horsham West Sussex RH12 1XA 
Opens 11 November 2024, expected to last 10 days

Morgan Betchley was 19 years old when she died a self-inflicted death whilst a voluntary mental health inpatient at Meadowfield Hospital on 9 March 2023. Now an inquest will open to examine the circumstances of her death.

Morgan was a young mother to a one-year old son. An aspiring architect, her family describe her as a bright, intelligent and articulate young woman with a fabulous dry sense of humour.

Morgan was autistic and had a history of mental ill health including self-harm when distressed.

In the months leading up to Morgan’s death, her mental health deteriorated and in the 6 weeks before she died, she had a number of admissions to A&E following suicide attempts, and was admitted to Meadowfield Hospital, run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), on three occasions.  

During her second admission to the hospital at the end of February, Morgan was arrested after she was found having ligatured. She remained in police custody for 24 hours after which she was again detained under the Mental Health Act and transferred to A&E.

Morgan was eventually taken back to Meadowfield Hospital as a voluntary patient on 3 March.

On 9 March, staff found Morgan ligatured in her bedroom. She was pronounced dead soon after.

The inquest will examine the events leading up to Morgan’s death including the care and treatment provided by the mental health services from January 2023 onwards.

ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information and to note your interest, please contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected].

Download photos of Morgan for media use: photo 1, photo 2 

The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Charlotte Haworth Hird of Bhatt Murphy and Jessica Elliott of one Crown Office Row. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.

Other Interested persons represented are Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and West Sussex County Council.

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.

Deaths in the care of Sussex mental health services:

• Morghana Woodburn, 18, died a self-inflicted death at Meadowfield Hospital in January 2018. Morghana was diagnosed with PTSD and EUPD. She was moved seven times between four different hospitals over the nine months leading up to her death. An inquest concluded that she died as a result of her mental health issues which led her to self-harm. Media coverage.
• Ellame Ford-Dunn, was 16 years old when she died after absconding and ligaturing whilst a mental health inpatient at Worthing Hospital. An inquest into her death was adjourned earlier this year. Media release.
• Matty Sheldrick, a 29 year old autistic person, died on 22 November 2022 after ligaturing outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital. They had left A&E less than two hours before. An inquest into their death was adjourned earlier this year. Media release.
• Jason Pulman, a 15 year old transgender teenager died a self-inflicted death on 19 April 2022 in East Sussex. An inquest found that systemic failures by all of the organisations involved in his care, with the exception of his school, possibly contributed to his death. Media release.
• Jessie Eastland Seares, 19, died whilst an inpatient at Mill View Hospital in May 2022. Jessie was autistic and had a complex history of neurodevelopmental, physical and mental health issues. A jury found that systemic failures in health and social care led to her death. Media release.
• Rachel Garrett, 22, died after falling from a height in Brighton on 29 July 2020. An inquest found that opportunities to save her life had been missed. Rachel had mental and physical health needs and had spent time in the care of Mill View Hospital. Media release.
• The Telegraph reported in January 2022 that more than 360 patients took their own lives after being treated by Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust in the past five years. While there were also 15 coroner’s reports to prevent future deaths.
• Bethany Tenquist, 26, died after ligaturing in her room at Mill View Hospital on 16 January 2019. An inquest found a sequence of serious failures relating to staffing, leadership and safeguarding processes on ward probably had a direct causal connection to her death. Media release.
• Janet Müller, 21, was killed after absconding from Mill View Hospital. The jury at the inquest found there were a number of failings in her care. Media release.
• In 2016, local media reported that five women had died at Mill View Hospital, including Janet Müller (above), Danuta Corbett, Jessica Philpott, Jackie Stansby, and Philippa Mortiz-Parsons.
• Sabrina ‘Sabby’ Walsh, 32, died on the Woodlands Ward in Sussex 2016. The inquest found gross failures and neglect contributed to her death. Media release.
•  Bethan Smith, 31, died whilst under the care of Sussex Partnership Trust in 2011. Her mother wrote this about their experiences.