Former glamour model turned TV presenter Sam Ramplin, who once dated Batman actor Michael Keaton, hanged herself 18 months after her teenage son died in a motorbike crash, an inquest heard today.
Ms Ramplin, a former Page 3 model who was also a Hell’s Kitchen reality TV show runner-up and presented Hollywood celebrity show Tinseltown, killed herself at her home in Malaga, Spain in January this year.
Walthamstow Coroner’s Court heard that the 47-year-old was devastated by her son Denny’s death and wished to be restored in ‘life after death’ with him.
Ms Ramplin had been at work as a carer when her son died after a road traffic collision in May 2019. Her sister Michelle Thompson she drank alcohol to excess and promised that she would ‘see Denny soon’.
In a statement, she said: ‘My sister Samantha Lesley Ramplin was a mum of two. She had been a great mother over the years.
Former glamour model turned TV presenter Sam Ramplin, who once dated Batman actor Michael Keaton, hanged herself 18 months after her teenage son died in a motorbike crash, an inquest heard today
Ms Ramplin had been at work as a carer when her son Denny died after a road traffic collision in May 2019. Her sister Michelle Thompson she drank alcohol to excess and promised that she would ‘see Denny soon’
‘She loved her two children, a daughter Summer Richardson who is 27, and Denny, who would have been 19 now. Unfortunately two years ago, Denny when he was 17 was involved in a motorbike accident that cost him his life.
‘The tragedy hit the family really bad, especially my sister Sam.
‘Sam had a very colourful life. She had been a glamour model, she had done TV work that unfortunately had fizzled out over the years. She had a lot of ups and downs in her career, some of which had made her feel very low.
‘Although she was fun and loving there were dark times that left her feeling low. Her grief for him was immense. She drank alcohol but this became more frequent after he died. We as a family always felt we were always there to get her through dark times.’
Ms Ramplin, a former Page 3 model who was also a Hell’s Kitchen reality TV show runner-up and presented Hollywood celebrity show Tinseltown, killed herself at her home in Malaga, Spain in January this year
Walthamstow Coroner’s Court heard that Ms Ramplin hanged herself in her home in Malaga. A toxicology and pathologist report found no natural disease or trauma and could not find any trace of alcohol or drugs.
Coroner Graeme Irvine said this could be because the body of Ms Ramplin had to be embalmed in order to be repatriated back to the UK.
He said: ‘It seems there was pressure on the blood vessels in her neck that caused her to lose consciousness and then pass away. There was no sign of any traumatic injuries or struggle.’
He continued: ‘We do know there was an incident in 2019 where Sam was reviewed by the local psychiatric trust, Essex Partnership University Trust. Fundamentally Sam had made comments to those around her while drunk that she was considering ending her life.
‘Those caring for her made a decision to call an ambulance and consequently she was taken to a place of safety for a short period of time. Unfortunately she was intoxicated with alcohol.
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‘Once she sobered up an assessment was undertaken on 9 May 2019 by a psychiatric nurse and it seems Sam’s presentation was one of real regret.
‘She reassured the psychiatric nurse that she was very distressed previously, upset following her son’s death and felt unable to cope and got blind drunk. She told people that she wanted to be with her son.’
Her sister, who attended the hearing remotely, said she remembered going with Ms Ramplin to Denny’s grave on what would have been his 19th birthday.
She said: ‘She came over to see me in October last year and we went to Denny’s grave on his 19th birthday. She said, ‘I’ll be there soon’. I said, ‘don’t be silly’, but she said ‘no, I mean it, I don’t know how more I can live’.’
Walthamstow Coroner’s Court heard that the 47-year-old was devastated by her son Denny’s death and wished to be restored in ‘life after death’ with him
Ms Ramplin had been at work as a carer when her son died after a road traffic collision in May 2019. Her sister Michelle Thompson she drank alcohol to excess and promised that she would ‘see Denny soon’
Ms Thompson added: ‘She was stubborn in her own little way. She wouldn’t take help very easily. We got her through day by day but no one can understand once she’s on her own.
‘She was led to believe there was another life after this and I don’t know if that helped but I hope it got her through the two years without Denny.’
Summarising, Mr Irvine said: ‘In 2019, Ms Ramplin went through an incredible emotional trauma. Her son died in a road traffic collision which had a profound impact on Sam.
‘We know following there was a short period that she was taken to a place of safety and assessed in terms of her mental health as she was found to be very drunk and was stating she didn’t want to live anymore and wanted to be with her son.
‘After a period of stabilisation, Ms Ramplin reflected and it seemed doctors were reassured that she would be stable with some support.
‘She said she had a very supportive family and with that reassurance was discharged from psychiatric services and she indicated she would spend some time in Spain.
‘Sam was prescribed by her GP two types of medication, an antidepressant and a sleeping tablet. We know Sam travelled to Spain and settled in an area in Malaga.
‘Very sadly, Sam was discovered unresponsive at her home address in Spain. An assessment was made by Spanish authorities that she died by mechanical asphyxiation due to hanging.’
The coroner returned a verdict of suicide and offered his condolences to Ms Ramplin’s sister. He said: ‘Sam was a young woman and she obviously went through a great deal in the last two years of her life.
‘You had already spent time grieving Denny, but to then also grieve Sam is even worse. I offer my condolences.’
Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org.
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