Tragedy at Prestigious Boarding School

Sophia Gurung, a teenager from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was pronounced dead on July 26, 2023, after a sudden collapse at home. An inquest led by Coroner Darren Salter revealed that Sophia had ingested a lethal chemical she ordered online, which is linked to over 130 deaths in the UK since 2019. The investigation indicated that the poison was shipped from Ukraine, highlighting the dangers posed by online vendors exploiting vulnerable individuals. During the inquest, it was disclosed that a search of Sophia's bedroom uncovered a package containing white powder, which she had hidden in her handbag. Despite receiving support from her school counselor and GP for her ongoing struggles with low mood and suicidal thoughts, Sophia had ordered the poison just days before her death. Her father, Nishan Gurung, recounted the distressing moment he found her struggling to breathe in the night. The coroner emphasized the tragedy of Sophia's death, noting the support she had from family and educational institutions. Following the incident, Queen Anne's School expressed its shock and sadness, calling for measures to prevent easy access to such harmful substances online. The case has prompted coroners nationwide to urge government action against the online trade of poisons, particularly those supplied by individuals like Zakutenko, who reportedly sends multiple parcels to the UK weekly from Kyiv.