AN inquest has been opened into the death of a 22-year-old Carlisle woman who was found unresponsive by friends after falling asleep.

Molly Louise Butcher died in the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle on August 4, 2024.

Assistant Coroner for Cumbria, Dr Nicholas Shaw, said that Ms Butcher had been staying with friends and had fallen asleep.

In a brief hearing at Cockermouth Coroner's Court on October 17, Dr Shaw said that when her friends had gone to wake her up, Ms Butcher was unresponsive.

An ambulance was then called, which took her to hospital, but she could not be revived.

Dr Shaw said that at this stage, it is suspected that Ms Butcher's death is drug-related.

Formal identification was provided by a police officer who had known Ms Butcher in a professional capacity.

Dr Shaw has adjourned the inquest hearing until January 30, 2025.