A mother shared her heartbreaking struggle to save her 22-year-old daughter from ketamine abuse before she passed away in agony. Isabelle Sapherson-Moralee, also known as Izzy, lost her life after prolonged use of the class B drug over five years, leading to her body shutting down.
Despite her mother, Ann Moralee’s efforts to seek help for Izzy over 18 months and warning health authorities of the fatal consequences, Izzy’s addiction resulted in chronic pain and bladder damage. Izzy decided to return home and declined further hospitalization, leading to her mother’s desperate pleas for medical assistance.
During the final hours, Izzy knew she was facing death, displaying symptoms of extreme coldness and shallow breathing. Despite her mother’s CPR attempts and emergency calls, Izzy tragically passed away within 36 hours of returning home.
The rise in ketamine abuse among young individuals in the UK has been concerning, with a staggering 251.85% increase in usage since 2015, marking the highest surge in drug consumption during that period. Ketamine, also known as ‘K’ and ‘Special K,’ has been associated with numerous student fatalities in recent years.
Izzy, an estate agent, began using ketamine regularly during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020, unbeknownst to her mother until late 2023 when the addiction spiraled out of control. The drug’s adverse effects led to bladder damage and incontinence, forcing Izzy to stop working six months before her untimely death.
Despite spending significant amounts on incontinence pads and witnessing her daughter’s deteriorating health, Ms. Moralee felt health officials missed critical opportunities to intervene and support Izzy. A negative experience with a urologist further fueled Izzy’s distrust in medical professionals, allowing her continued access to ketamine even during hospital stays.
Izzy’s demise was attributed to respiratory depression caused by a lethal combination of morphine and gabapentin toxicity, with both drugs present at heightened therapeutic levels in her system. Additionally, a post-mortem examination revealed biliary sepsis in the liver as a contributing factor to her health decline.
The inquest also heard insights from Scott Davey of Reach, a drug and alcohol support organization that had been assisting Izzy before her passing. Davey highlighted the vicious cycle of ketamine abuse, where users often escalate consumption to manage pain resulting from the drug’s damaging effects.
Acknowledging Izzy’s talents and struggles, Ms. Moralee reflected on her daughter’s manipulative behavior and the extensive efforts made by healthcare professionals and support groups. The ongoing inquest in Bournemouth aims to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Izzy’s tragic death.