TRAGIC STAR
Who was Sophie Gradon, how did the Love Island star die and what have her parents said?
LOVE Island's Sophie Gradon - a former beauty queen and reality TV star - passed away at the age of 32 and fans are still mourning her tragic death.
Here's all the information you need to know about the former Miss Newcastle's life and shock demise...
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Who was Sophie Gradon?
Sophie, 32, was famed for being on Love Island on series 2 in 2016.
The former reality star, who hailed from Newcastle, was crowned Miss Great Britain in 2009.
She was also a former Miss Newcastle.
How did Sophie die?
Sophie died on June 20, 2018 after taking her own life.
She hanged herself after taking a cocktail of booze and cocaine, an inquest heard.
Her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong revealed the news on Facebook - he tragically discovered her body.
Sharing a picture of them together, he wrote: "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always".
Sophie described her battle with crippling anxiety and depression in a series of social media posts just months before her death.
In March 2019, the inquest into her death was halted after her parents - Deborah and Colin Gradon - received shock ‘new information’.
They believe that their daughter had an undiagnosed brain condition which caused her to have irrational thoughts at any given time - and it apparently worsened by the end of 2017.
The couple shared: We needed more time to research and talked to a leading psychiatrist and neuroscientist.
"They both unanimously agreed that Sophie’s cerebral and cognitive reasoning would have been influenced by the presence of the AVM in her brain.
"We believe Sophie started to become symptomatic in December 2017. We noted an acute change in her personality and behaviour.
"Sophie was convinced she had ADHD and would often complain 'that her brain wasn’t working right'."
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Who was Sophie's boyfriend? What happened on Love Island?
Sophie's boyfriend at the time - Aaron Armstrong - tragically took his life just weeks after her untimely death.
Little is known of Aaron's profession or personal life, other than from social media uploads posted by Sophie before her death.
She posted a gushing video about her man just days before she passed away, describing him as the love of her life.
The former Love Island star uploaded a video of her beau dancing with a dog, captioning it: "When the love of your life loves his dogs like this you know he’s the one. She’s cuddling him right back ... & those arms".
Aaron was found dead in Blyth, Northumbria, shortly after posting an Instagram tribute to Sophie - who starred on Love Island in 2016.
He wrote next to a picture of her "just wish I could cuddle you all day."
"[I] miss you so much man Sophie not a minute goes by without your gorgeous smile being a picture in my mind everyday we spent together was so amazing I need them days back. I love you princess"
Friends and family paid tribute to Aaron on social media, with one writing: "Hope you’re at peace now Aaron, my heart goes out to your family".
A police spokesman told The Sun Online: "At around 12.20pm today (July 10) we received a report that a 25-year-old man had been found deceased at a property in Blyth.
“There is not believed to be any third party involvement and a report will now be prepared for the coroner.”
He was laid to rest on the July 26.
In March 2019 it was revealed that Aaron had taken "cocaine and alcohol" before taking his own life.
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. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, we told you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans - and shared tips from mental health experts.
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.
For a list of support services available, please see where to get help below.
WHERE TO GET HELP
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
More on Sophie Gradon
What have her parents and police said?
Sophie's parents Colin and Deborah Gradon broke their silence a week after the star's death.
In a statement they said: "It has been one week since we lost our precious daughter and we as a family are still coming to terms with our sudden loss.
"Our hearts are broken. We wish to say our goodbyes to Sophie in private so we ask that you respect our family's privacy during this arduous time."
The inquest into Sophie's death was dramatically halted from its planned start on March 21 so Miss Gradon's parents could read a new report into her death.
At the time an official was quoted saying: "Please note that it has been necessary to cancel the hearing date for the Inquest dealing with the death of Sophie Gradon.
"Sophie's parents have requested further time to consider a report which was only recently received."
Following the delay, it will now be heard this morning (April 18 2019) at Howard House, North Shields, by the same coroner.
It was reported last month Sophie's parents would not attend the inquest.
At the time of Sophie's passing a police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
A Northumbria Police representative said: “At about 8.27pm yesterday (June 20) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.”
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