Warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders, which some readers may find distressing.
A 23-year-old woman's 'mummified' body was tragically found in her flat one year after she passed away, an inquest has heard.
Police discovered Charlotte Leader at her home in Bolton, Greater Manchester, while conducting a welfare check on 6 August this year.
Bolton Coroner’s Court has heard how officers struggled against a 'large volume of letters' that were piled behind her front door as they tried to gain entry.
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The young woman was then found deceased in her bed underneath her duvet 'as if sleeping', Detective Inspector Paul Quinn told the inquest. He also described Charlotte's first-floor flat as 'sparsely furnished' and 'immaculately clean', according to the Bolton News.
DI Quinn said cops found 'no suggestion she intended to take her life, or anything to suggest she would do anything untowards', but added that boxes of a detox cleanser were found.
He explained that Charlotte's 'only contact was with ChatGPT' before her death took place, as her family told the inquest how they had lost touch with her.
Her mother, Chantay Simm, said she had not heard from her daughter since September 2021, and despite desperately trying to track her down, she was 'impossible to find'.
Neighbours told police that they never saw Charlotte leaving her home before her 'mummified' body was discovered. According to Assistant Coroner Stephen Teasdale, she 'suffered from mental health issues' and 'became a stranger from her family' over time.
"She pushes people away, and she disengages from the mental health services as well," he told the inquest, adding that Charlotte had declined an appointment about her mental health in 2022.
She then had no further contact with the services. Mr Teasdale also confirmed that there were 'no illicit drugs found at the scene' and that Charlotte's diaries did not contain anything to 'suggest that as a problem'.
Charlotte's sister Caroline Calow said the 23-year-old had struggled with eating disorders, including bulimia, since she was young.
Food was found in her fridge with sell-by dates of July 2024.
DI Quinn told Bolton Coroner’s Court that the last communications Charlotte made prior to her death were with the AI chatbot, ChatGPT.
The final message she sent on 30 July, 2024, read: "Help me, I’ve went and got food again."
ChatGPT responded saying that it seemed like she 'sounded conflicted about having food', to which Charlotte said: "It’s food that I didn’t want and that’s frustrating."
"There were others all in the same context," DI Quinn said. "There’s no conversations with anybody, her only contact was with ChatGPT."
But her sister Caroline insisted that Charlotte's home - which contained 'absolutely no medication' - looked to be lived in by 'someone who cared' rather than 'the flat of someone who had given up'.
Dr Andrew Coates described examining Charlotte's remains as 'difficult', as the pathologist at Royal Bolton Hospital said her body had become 'mummified' in the year that followed her death.
He explained that this was 'not unreasonable' to occur over this time period, but could not ascertain the cause of Charlotte's death.
The inquest was concluded with an open verdict, meaning there was insufficient evidence to determine how she died.
Charlotte's loved ones paid tribute to the 'beautiful and talented young woman', saying: "Her many talents were playing the guitar and keyboard, and she also had a love for art.
"She was loved tremendously by the family and will be missed every day."
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Topics: AI, ChatGPT, Health, UK News, Mental Health
Olivia Burke