Stephanie Kelly Alderson died on Ajax Way in South Bank

Stephanie Kelly Alderson, 35, was found by police on September 18 last year at her flat on Ajax Way in South Bank, Middlesbrough, after taking a cocktail of drugs including cocaine, heroin and morphine. 

At an inquest into her death at Teesside Coroner's Court on Tuesday (July 23), the assistant coroner for Teesside, Benjamin Haigh, delivered a narrative verdict, which pointed to Ms Alderson taking a combination of fatal drugs. 

Stephanie Alderson (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

During the hearing, the inquest heard a statement from from a Cleveland Police sergeant, who noted that he attended the flat of Ms Alderson on Ajax Way at 5.30pm on September 18 after her neighbours had expressed concerns for her welfare. 

After arriving on the scene, the officer was forced to use a saw to get access into the flat, where he and a colleague found the body of Ms Alderson in the living room 

The inquest also heard a pathologist report, who noted Ms Alderson was a known drug user and took a fatal level of drugs. 

Police at the flat on Ajax Way in South Bank (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

At the time of Ms Alderson's death, Cleveland Police linked it with the death of two more people. Kevin Conway, 41, was found dead at the same flat as Ms Alderson, but in July 2023. And Kathleen Broomfield, who was found at an address on South Court in South Bank a day after Ms Alderson's body was discovered.

Following the inquest, Ms Alderson's mum, Glenis Alderson, described her daughter as "a home bird" who "wasn't a troublemaker" who had moved into her flat in April 2023 and helped care for her grandparents when they were ill.

Stephanie, who had studied care at Kirby College in Middlesbrough, was into helping out with cooking, cleaning, and ironing. She was looking forward to living in her new apartment, which her mum had bought new furniture for.

A crime scene investigator at the flat on Ajax Way in South Bank (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

After hearing evidence in the inquest of her daughter, she noted that Stephanie had "everything to live for" and noted that "someone could have saved her life" if those around her had been a bit more vigilant. 

Speaking after the inquest, Stephanie's mum said: "Stephanie did go down a worrying path - but a few days before her death, there was nothing to suggest she was on drugs or taking drugs. 

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"Questions have been raised about selling drugs - and my Stephanie wouldn't do that.

"When I went round to her flat after her death, there were no items, her phone and bank cards were gone and other items I'd bought her had gone - I want answers on this.

"There are some elements to my daughter's death I just don't understand."

If you're struggling to cope with your drug or alcohol use, or you know someone who is, Middlesbrough Council can help. They provide a wide range of support including prescribing, psychosocial interventions, counselling, and recovery support.

You can contact the council on 01642 726800 for support.