The boyfriend of the mother accused of murdering her died after overdosing on a combination of drugs including black-market pills.
Jordan Monaghan, 30, who is also accused of smothering his two children, is said to have bought the potent prescription drugs tramadol and diazepam himself.
The jury heard that Evie Adams, his partner in crime, had taken prescription and over-the-counter medication during the time she was dying.
Today a toxicologist report showed the level pain-relief drug Tramadol – normally used by MS sufferers – in the 23-year-old’s blood was five times the normal prescribed dosage.
Professor Alexander Forrest – an expert in forensic chemistry and toxicology – told the hearing that amount ‘would make the toxicologist’s eyebrows rise up.’
He stated that it was potentially toxic and could cause death.
Monaghan denied murdering his children Ruby (left), and Logan (right), in 2013. The trial for Monaghan’s murder continues at Preston Crown Court.
Jordan Monaghan, a suspect in the murder of his daughter Ruby and Logan Monaghan’s son Logan is charged with this crime.
Prof Forrest said Miss Adams had ingested more than therapeutic amounts – one prescribed by a doctor – hours before her death and considered it ‘an overdose.’
It was well-known that people have died after taking higher or lower amounts of both.
A jury – sitting at Preston Crown Court, Lancs – heard that Diazepam – an anti-anxiety drug – and its breakdown product nordiazepam were also found in Miss Adams’ blood.
Professor Forrest explained that the amounts of nordiazepam detected were ‘the kind of figure you get when you take diazepam regularly’ as well as the “drug being consumed over a long period of time.”
“She took diazepam for several days on a daily basis, instead of just one pill.
On October 24, 2019, Miss Adams, who had been suffering from stomach problems and nausea for the past week, died.
Jordan Monaghan (aged 30), is facing trial at Preston Crown Court.
Prof Forrest said that nerve pain relief drug pregabalin – used to treat epilepsy and anxiety – also contributed to her death.
Prosecutor Mr Duncan Smith asked Professor Forrest about the side effects of using a combination of drugs.
Professor Forrest stated that there was likely to be substantial depression at her consciousness level. It would render her semi-conscious, or even unconscious. She might also experience depression in the part of her brain that allows her to breath.
“There are two things that can cause depression: a low level of consciousness, and an inability to properly breathe.
This can then lead to heart failure, which could result in fluid buildup in the lungs.
He said that pregabalin and tramadol had increased mortality rates by as much as 60% in studies.
He explained that it was becoming more frequent to see people die from high levels of an opiate-type drug, such as tramadol or pregabalin.
“I feel she may have taken too much, an overdose of pregabalin if you prefer, or maybe she consumed an excessive amount tramadol within the hours before her death.
The drug should not be used for treatment if the prescribed dosage is excessively high.
Blackburn Digger driver Monaghan has denied murdering Miss Adams after taking an excessive amount of tramadol/diazepam.
His three-week old daughter Ruby and his 21-month-old boy Logan are also being charged. Ruby was found dead at her home in 2013 on New Year’s Day. Logan passed away eight months later, on August 17.
Two additional counts are pending against him for attempted murder of the third child. The legal reason is that he cannot be identified.
The charges are denied by him.
The trial is continuing.