'Kind and caring' school teacher, 24, dies after having cocaine and alcohol
Emily had been on a night out with friends
A "kind and caring" primary school teacher choked to death on her own vomit after having alcohol and cocaine, an inquest heard.
Family and friends paid warm tributes to Emily Rose Browning, 24 and from Midsomer Norton, describing her as a "kind, caring, and beautiful young lady" who loved her job.
Ms Browning had been on a night out with friends during which she drank heavily and took the Class A drug in December 2024.
She came home and went to bed, but her boyfriend later found her collapsed on the bedroom floor and not breathing, at which point he dialled 999.
Emily, who taught at Gladstone Primary school in Cardiff, is believed to have choked on her own vomit and later died in hospital, reports the Express.
Coroner Graeme Hughes said Emily had been socialising with friends at home before heading into Cardiff city centre on December 7, 2024. He said: "During this time, she has consumed alcohol and cocaine.
"She became intermittently unwell, and friends did have some concerns for her welfare.
"She and her boyfriend returned home, and she went to bed. After he returned home a short while later, she was found on the floor of the bedroom."
Mr Hughes said it was likely Emily had aspirated vomit and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, where she died on December 10.
Mr Hughes recorded a conclusion of alcohol and drug-related death, saying she likely died due to the "intoxicating effects of alcohol and illicit drug use, leading to aspiration of vomit, cardiac arrest and a devastating hypoxic brain injury".
He told the Pontypridd hearing Emily's medical cause of death was brain injury linked to oxygen deprivation, with underlying causes of aspiration and acute alcohol and cocaine intoxication.
In a tribute following her death, Emily's school said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Emily, a beloved teacher at Gladstone, whose kindness, passion, and dedication left a lasting impact on every child, colleague, and parent who had the privilege of knowing her."
Emily had settled in Cardiff, having gained a criminology degree and a master's in psychology before embarking on her teaching career.
The school in Heath, Cardiff, planned to build a memorial garden for Emily and "create a space that embodies the warmth and compassion Emily shared with us every day."
"To honour her memory, we are going to create a memorial garden," the school said.
"This garden will be a space for reflection, joy, and growth-a place where children can learn through outdoor experiences, and find peace and inspiration. It will reflect Emily's values of nurturing curiosity, creativity, and well-being in every learner."
Her boyfriend Jack Weston launched a fundraiser to meet the costs of the garden with dozens of friends signing up to take part in events.
The fund has now raised more than £40,000.
The page said: "At just 24 years old, the cruelty of her passing has been heart-breaking for all of her family, friends, and everyone who knew her.
