Emma Neame was known for her flair for design and her growing business, but behind the beautiful interiors she created, she was quietly battling serious personal challenges.
Her story, shared during an inquest at South London Coroner’s Court, revealed how emotional pain, substance use, and isolation slowly overtook a once-vibrant life.
Life After a Breakup Took a Difficult Turn
Emma’s life began to unravel after her relationship with the father of her twin children ended.
The breakup, which happened in April 2023, led her to move to a flat in Thornton Heath, South London—a move she reportedly found disheartening and isolating.
The emotional toll pushed her deeper into ketamine use, a powerful tranquilizer often taken recreationally.
At the time of her passing, she was co-parenting her children, dealing with financial strain, and facing the lingering effects of bulimia.
She had been open about her struggles with her family, explaining that drugs became a way to cope with her loneliness and mounting stress.
From High Achiever to Silent Sufferer
Emma’s journey started on a high note.
She studied interior design at Kensington and Chelsea College after attending Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School in Canterbury.
She launched her own business, Emma Neame Interiors, in 2021 and found success working with a range of clients.
Yet underneath the success, Emma had faced mental health challenges since her teens.
The court heard she battled depression and anxiety from the age of 17 and had previously attempted to end her life in 2008 or 2009 and again in January 2023.
A Mother’s Love and A Daughter’s Hidden Pain
Emma’s mother, Marina, shared how her daughter had grown more reliant on drugs by late 2022, and how the family became increasingly worried.
Emma had talked about her declining friendships, her struggles with money, and her desire to return to Kent to be closer to home—but the logistics of co-parenting made that difficult.
Despite everything, there were signs of hope.
In February 2024, Emma visited her mother in France and left feeling grateful and optimistic.
She had plans for new design projects and appeared excited about what was next.
Physical Pain and a Cry for Help
Beyond her emotional struggles, Emma’s physical health was also declining.
The ketamine use had led to serious bladder and bowel issues, which she said caused her constant pain.
Her grandmother, Mary Towndrow, described Emma as overwhelmed by the demands of life and weighed down by debt from her business.
Emma had even sought help through a walk-in drug clinic, showing she wanted to fight back against her addictions.
She had also started treatment at an eating disorders clinic and was engaging with mental health professionals at South London and Maudsley services.
The Day Everything Changed
On March 12, 2024, Emma spoke with her mother, telling her she had a sore throat and wasn’t feeling well.
She also expressed excitement about an upcoming interior design project.
That same day, she spoke with her ex-partner, Simon Mortlock, around 5 p.m.—the last known conversation she had.
The following day, Simon couldn’t reach her and eventually went to her home.
The door was unlocked, and he found signs of drug use in the kitchen.
Tragically, he later found Emma in the garden, where she had died. He attempted CPR, but it was too late.
What the Inquest Revealed
The toxicology report found ketamine, cocaine, alcohol, and Xanax in Emma’s system.
While ketamine is sometimes used in controlled environments to treat depression, it’s not a licensed long-term treatment and can have severe side effects, including hallucinations and bladder damage.
Assistant Coroner Laura Stephenson shared that although Emma died by hanging, there was no clear evidence that she intended to take her life that day.
There was no suicide note, and in the past, she had regretted similar actions and sought help immediately afterward.
A Final Reflection on a Talented Life
The coroner stopped short of calling it suicide, pointing out that Emma’s judgment was likely impaired by drugs, especially ketamine, which can distort reality.
She emphasized Emma’s creativity, her love for her children, and her efforts to find her footing amid personal chaos.
“She was an intelligent, beautiful young woman who we were very proud of,” her mother had said.
Emma’s story is a poignant reminder of how even the most seemingly put-together lives can hide deep struggles—and how important compassion, support, and accessible mental health care are for those facing them.