Contaminated cocaine killed woman

Haniska Pett's parents said they had warned her not to take illegal drugs

A 20-year-old Kent hairdresser died after taking cocaine contaminated with a "highly significant" amount of ecstasy, an inquest has heard.

Haniska Pett, of Gravesend, died in Darent Valley Hospital on 19 October after suffering a fit when she took the drug at a friend's house.

Ms Pett had been taking cocaine for about two years, it was revealed at the inquest at Dartford Crown Court.

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure on Monday.

The inquest was told the cocaine Ms Pett took contained a large amount of MDMA, an amphetamine called MDA and a drug known as BZP.

'Sad death'

Her brother, Joe, was called to help Haniska when she became very hot and started fitting at her friend's house.

They called an ambulance but Ms Pett later died at Darent Valley Hospital.

Haniska, who was living with her parents at the time of her death, had taken the drug for about two years without suffering an serious side effects, the inquest was told.

The pathologist said it was likely that she died from "mixed drug intoxication".

Her death was described as "sad" by the coroner.

Her parents Angela and Ian Pett held a candle-lit vigil to alert people about the dangers of drugs following her death.

They said they had warned their daughter but regretted not doing more.

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