Girl, 14, died from suspected ecstasy overdose after lockdown party

A 14-year-old girl has died from a suspected ecstasy overdose after attending a coronavirus lockdown party.

Tragedy struck after Jessica Hannah, the daughter of a healthcare assistant, attended the party in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, last Wednesday.

Heartbroken friends have pleaded with other teenagers not to make the same mistake.

Friends say Jessica would normally have been at school when she attended the gathering in a street of terraced houses. She was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Another 13-year-old girl was also treated for non life-threatening effects of a drug, believed to be MDMA.

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Paramedics called to the house alerted North Yorkshire Police, which has launched an investigation and arrested two teenage boys.

The same force also rounded up suspects in a county lines drug-dealing operation within a quarter of a mile of the address only days earlier.

It is not believed that Jessica lived at the address where the party took place, but her family did live in the area when she was younger and she had many friends there.

Jessica, from Scarborough, was named on social media by friends who have warned other young people not to dabble in illegal drugs.

One schoolgirl wrote: ‘RIP my gorgeous best friend – the one who was there when everyone else left. The one who stood by me.

‘You never failed to put a smile on my face. It was never a dull moment with you. It is crazy how long I have known you – 10 years. I don’t know what I am going to do without you.

‘Please, please do not do drugs. It takes people’s lives. It’s not worth it.’

Other tributes have also flooded in on social media. Heartbreaking messages included: ‘She is looking down on us all making sure we are ok. Rest easy Jess until we meet again.’

Another tribute read: ‘Jessica was loved by so many people, suddenly she tragically lost her life on May 20.

‘She was only 14 years old. She loved going out with her friends and loved the beach. She’s going to be missed by so many.’

Jessica’s mum is a healthcare assistant who works in care homes. The family has declined to comment.

The coroner has been informed but a date has not yet been set for the inquest.

The North Yorkshire Coroner’s service said: ‘As this case is still under investigation there are no details available at the moment.’

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Police have appealed for information and issued a warning about illegal drugs after the tragedy.

Officers were called by the ambulance service to a report a girl had become unwell at a house in North Marine Road, at about 4pm on May 20.

Two teenage girls were found unwell at the property and were taken by ambulance to hospital.

Hannah was pronounced dead at hospital a short time later. A 13-year-old girl remains in hospital. Her condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of offences involving the supply of Class A drugs. One has been released under investigation and the other remains in custody.

Detective chief inspector Graeme Wright said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young girl who died as a result of this tragic event, and of all those affected by it.

‘Extensive police enquiries are ongoing to determine the events around her death.

‘Although our investigation is at an early stage, I would urge anyone who has acquired MDMA or other illegal drugs recently not to take them. If you have taken such a drug and feel unwell, it is vital that you seek medical help immediately.

‘This is clearly a devastating incident, and I would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the families involved, and refrain from speculating about this incident online.’

Anyone with information about the incident, who has not already spoken to police, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12200084012.

Police arrested three men believed to be linked to ‘a key county lines drug operation’ on May 17, just streets away from where Jessica died.

Two of the men, aged 18 and 19, were from the West Midlands. All were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of Class A drugs.

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