Caroline Flack’s best pal shares heartbreaking last pic of star before tragic death in Instagram tribute
CAROLINE Flack's best friend has shared a heartbreaking last picture of the star taken on Valentine's Day before her tragic death.
Mollie Grosberg posted the image in an Instagram story dedicated to the memory of her beloved pal.
In a caption alongside the last photo, Mollie wrote: "Our funny valentine bought us cookies and oat milk this year."
The TV producer shared a series of touching clips of Caroline laughing and joking on holiday, during her 39th birthday celebrations and attempting to scale an indoor climbing wall with friends earlier this month.
She also revealed she is now taking care of Caroline's pet dog Ruby following her death.
Caroline was found dead after taking her own life at her flat in Stoke Newington, North East London, on Saturday.
An ambulance had been called to her home at 10.30pm the previous night following a concern for welfare report but crews assessed she did not need hospital treatment.
Friend Lou Teasdale, 36, had stayed with her overnight before leaving to go to the shops at around 9.30am. Caroline's body was found a short time later.
Pals say the 40-year-old had been tormented as she faced an assault trial after allegedly attacking boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, at her then home in December last year.
The Love Island star had learned the Crown Prosecution Service was set to press ahead with her trial the day before her death.
Caroline strongly denied the charge and her management team has slammed the CPS for pursuing the case despite Lewis saying he didn't support the prosecution.
She and Lewis had pleaded with authorities for it to be dropped given her vulnerable mental state.
A court heard last year that Caroline was accused of hitting Lewis, 27, around the head with a lamp before flipping over a table after officers arrived.
Magistrates were also told how police bodycam footage had captured Caroline in the moments after the incident.
A friend said: "Caroline was terrified the footage of her distressed and covered in blood would be shown to the world in court."
Dr Charlotte Proudman, a human rights barrister who specialises in cases involving violence against women and girls, said the CPS had been wrongly trying to make an example of the star.
She said: "This smacks of a show trial.
"It feels like it was nothing more than an attempt by the CPS to show how rigorously it pursues domestic abuse cases, especially one involving a male complainant.
"I’m baffled as to why the CPS were so determined to continue with this case.
"There were clear mental health issues at the heart of this case and her vulnerability, both at the time of the incident and afterwards were well known."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Caroline was due to stand trial at Highbury magistrates court on March 4 charged with common assault after the December 12 incident in Islington, North London.
At a previous hearing, the court heard that while under caution Caroline told police she would kill herself and that she said: "I did it."
Magistrates heard how Lewis had dialled 999 and told the operator: "She’s trying to kill me, mate."
Lewis later stood by Caroline, despite being banned from contacting her.
He posted after the December 23 hearing: “What I witnessed today was horrible. She did not hit me with a lamp. Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now.”
Caroline had made no secret of her mental health struggles since her first court appearance in December.
She had also spoken publicly and bravely about her long-standing issues.
In an Instagram post on October 14, she wrote: “I wanted to write something about mental health day last week but I was knee deep in work.
"And some days it’s hard to write your feelings or your not in the right place.
‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place . . . I find it hard to talk about it . . . I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life . . . and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.
"I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves.
"I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear."
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123
