‘Kind, caring’ primary school teacher, 24, dies after cocaine and alcohol binge | UK | News
Emily Rose Browning, a teacher at Gladstone Primary School in Cardiff, died in December 2024 (Image: MEDIA WALES)
A “kind and caring” primary school teacher died after choking on her own vomit after drinking too much alcohol and cocaine, an inquest heard. Family and friends paid warm tribute to Emily Rose Browning, describing her as a “kind, caring and beautiful young lady” who loved her job.
Ms Browning had a night out with friends in December 2024, during which she drank heavily and took Class A drugs. She arrived home and went to bed, but her boyfriend later found her collapsed on the bedroom floor and unable to breathe, at which point he called 999.
Emily Rose Browning described as ‘kind and caring’ (Image: MEDIA WALES)
Emily, a teacher at Gladstone Primary School in Cardiff, was thought to have choked on her own vomit and died in hospital.
Coroner Graeme Hughes said Emily had been socializing with friends at home before heading to Cardiff city center on December 7, 2024. “During this time he consumed alcohol and cocaine.
“He was getting sick from time to time and his friends had some concerns about his health.
“She and her boyfriend returned home and she went to bed. When she returned home a short time later, she found him on her bedroom floor.”
Mr Hughes said Emily likely aspirated vomit and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, where she died on December 10.
Emily Rose Browning was 24 years old (Image: MEDIA WALES)
Mr Hughes recorded a conclusion of alcohol and drug-related death, saying he probably died from “the intoxicating effects of alcohol and illicit drug use, leading to aspiration of vomit, cardiac arrest and a devastating hypoxic brain injury”.
He told Pontypridd that Emily’s medical cause of death was brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, with the underlying causes being aspiration and acute alcohol and cocaine intoxication.
At the memorial following her death, Emily’s school said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Emily, a beloved teacher at Gladstone whose kindness, passion and dedication left a lasting impact on every child, colleague and parent who had the privilege of knowing her.”
Emily, from Somerset, settled in Cardiff with a degree in criminology and a master’s degree in psychology before starting her teaching career.
The school in Cardiff planned to build a memorial garden for Emily and “create a space that embodies the warmth and compassion Emily shared with us every day,” Heath said.
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“We will create a memorial garden to honor his memory.
“This garden will be a space for reflection, joy and growth, a place where children can learn and find peace and inspiration through outdoor experiences. It will reflect Emily’s values of nurturing curiosity, creativity and well-being in every student.”
Her boyfriend, Jack Weston, started a fundraiser to help pay for the garden, with dozens of friends signing up to take part in the events.
The fund has now raised more than £40,000.
The page read: “The cruelty of his passing at just 24 years old has been heartbreaking for all his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
“She was a kind, compassionate, beautiful young lady who lived life to the fullest, and the joy she brought to those who loved her will forever endure.”
The page said: “Following her love of teaching, she has worked in a wide range of schools across South Wales, helping to shape many young minds along the way. Emily’s newest school, Gladstone Primary School, is at the heart of this trust.”
