Drugs found under bed at party house where teenager died

(PA)

An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old girl who is believed to have died of a drug-induced cardiac arrest in the house of a university lecturer was adjourned yesterday after it was announced that the home owner was in serious condition in hospital from an apparent suicide attempt.

Brian Dodgeon, 60, pictured, a research fellow at the University of London, broke his legs after falling from a flyover on the North Circular Road in Walthamstow, east London, on Monday.

He is on bail after being arrested on suspicion of child abandonment and possession of drugs. He has been suspended on full pay by the university.

Isobel Reilly was at a party hosted by her friend, Mr Dodgeon's daughter, when she died early on 23 April.

Before the adjournment, the inquest heard drugs were kept in an unlocked cupboard and under a bed at the house in west London.

Police found the drugs during a search of the house in Barlby Road, North Kensington.

Mr Dodgeon's 14-year-old daughter and two other teenagers were also detained in hospital after apparently taking illegal substances.

Isobel had consumed a variety of drugs – including ecstasy – after the teenagers, who were left in the house by Mr Dodgeon and his partner, began drinking alcohol.

Sgt Neil Philpott told the inquest: "The party was unsupervised but neighbours had been made aware that the party was taking place and one had been asked to keep an eye [on proceedings]."

Last night, police sources confirmed Mr Dodgeon's suicide attempt.

The inquest will resume in July after the results from a post-mortem examination have come in.

The coroner's officer said: "Toxicology tests have been sent away for analysis. It could be between four to six weeks before we hear anything about the exact cause of death."