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British Airways flight attendant found dead while signed off sick, inquest hears

Byoxfordnewspaper

Aug 19, 2022

A British Airways flight attendant was found dead after her employer contacted the police over concern for her welfare.

Niyata Waller, 53, was signed off on sick leave when she took her own life in April.

Her inquest heard that Mumbai-born Ms Waller had struggled with alcoholism and substance misuse.

In a statement summarised at Oxford Coroner’s Court this week, investigating officer DC Charlotte Oliver said British Airways had confirmed Ms Waller was ‘grounded’ at the time of her death and was ‘supported and managed in accordance with [the company’s] drug and alcohol policy’.

She had been on sick leave from November the previous year. It was BA that called the police as they had been unable to get in contact with her from April 11.

Ms Oliver told the coroner that the last ‘read’ email on her iPad was dated April 10.

Police officers found Ms Waller’s body when they went to her home in New Cross Road, Headington, on April 14. The cause of her death was given as hanging. Toxicological tests showed her blood alcohol level was slightly above the equivalent drink-drive limit.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, senior coroner Darren Salter said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. He said: “There were issues, unfortunately, for her with alcohol and drugs and issues impacting her employment.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward