Northumberland family calls for police inquiry into Leeds Uni graduate's death
The family of a Leeds University student who died after drinking poison she'd bought online have questioned why police are not investigating what happened.
Last updated 9th Dec 2025
The family of a Leeds University student who died after drinking poison she'd bought online have questioned why police are not investigating what happened.
Grace Nevens, from Northumberland, died in hospital in Cramlington, last November.
Today, a pre-Inquest Review has been taking place, with the Northumberland Coroner Andrew Hetherington saying Northumbria Police had confirmed that no investigation was ongoing into Grace's death.
The hearing also heard the 22 year old, who had graduated with a first in Psychology, had previously visited an online suicide forum before her death.
Mr Hetherington said he was aware of investigations into a Canadian and a Ukrainian who are alleged to have supplied users of a suicide forum with poison.
The coroner said he had spoken to the National Crime Agency about the case.
But Alison Seaman, instructed by solicitors Leigh Day to represent Ms Nevens' family, told Mr Hetherington that they wanted to challenge the police's decision not to investigate.
Ms Seaman said it was "difficult to understand" why there was no inquiry ongoing when there was evidence that Ms Nevens bought the chemical online, which she took before she died.
"It is likely the person selling it to her knew she was planning to do that," the barrister said.
"She frequented a suicide forum where she was able to engage in conversations around suicide."
Ms Seaman added: "She was someone who was suffering from a crisis in her mental health.
"She was 22 and it was anticipated that she would be able to recover.
"She was being treated with medication."
In those circumstances, Ms Seaman said, the family "fail to understand" why there was no police investigation, and they would look to exercise their right for that to be reviewed.
She added: "There's no rationale, there's no explanation, that's what is missing for the family."
Ms Nevens' parents Neil and Sharon and sister Lucy were at the hearing on Tuesday.
Mr Hetherington said that if there was a police inquiry, the inquest would have to be adjourned.
He set a provisional inquest date for March 5 and 6.