Coroner Records Suicide Verdict in Death of Former Superyacht Stewardess
Published on 08/28/2026 at 06:47 | Editorial boerse-global.de
A coroner has recorded a verdict of suicide in the death of a 21-year-old former superyacht stewardess who took her own life shortly after losing her job. Imogen Amesbury, a former student from Taunton, died in early 2022 following a period of deteriorating mental health and a dispute with her partner — a case that highlights the emotional toll sudden job loss can take on young maritime workers.
Employment Termination and Substance Use
Bournemouth Coroner’s Court heard that Amesbury had been employed as a stewardess on the superyacht Queen Miri. Her employment was terminated in November 2021 after she returned to the vessel under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Following the loss of her position, Amesbury’s mental health reportedly suffered. Evidence presented during the proceedings indicated she had a history of anxiety and had experienced a significant decline in her well-being during the months leading up to her death.
Events Preceding Fatal Incident
On the night before her death in January 2022, Amesbury had been socialising with an on-off partner, Andrew Hewitt. The inquest heard that the pair had consumed two bottles of wine and that Amesbury had also taken cocaine. A dispute occurred between the two, during which Amesbury reportedly made threats to take her own life.
Toxicology reports revealed that at the time of her death, Amesbury was nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit and had traces of cocaine in her system. Her ex-partner informed the court that he had initially dismissed her threats during their row.
The tragic circumstances of this case underscore how critical it is for employers to support workers' wellbeing — and to have robust health and safety procedures in place. A free toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists, and toolbox talks to help UK businesses meet their legal duties and protect their teams. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
Mental Health Challenges and Inquest Findings
The court was told that Amesbury’s final contact was a message sent at 5:23 am on January 12, 2022. Her mother discovered her body later that day, and her death was officially confirmed at 1:58 pm.
The coroner noted the impact of relationship difficulties and the prior loss of her job on her mental state. In recording a conclusion of suicide on August 27, 2026, the coroner acknowledged the tragic nature of the loss and the mental health struggles the 21-year-old had faced in the final months of her life.
