Horsewoman who was found hanged after anniversary 'had taken cocaine'
A champion horse rider found hanged after celebrating her first wedding anniversary at a luxury spa resort had taken a cocktail of alcohol and cocaine, an inquest heard.Abigail Garside, 30, 'stormed out' of her hotel room following an argument with her husband Samuel - just hours after the couple had posted jubilant Facebook photographs to mark their marriage milestone.Northallerton Coroner's Court heard Mrs Garside, a gifted equestrian, had not intended to take her own life following the row, but had tragically acted under the combined influence of alcohol and cocaine.The couple, from Blackburn, Lancashire, spent August 17 last year at the exclusive 300-acre Rudding Park resort in Harrogate to celebrate their first year of marriage.Mrs Garside shared images on social media of the couple clinking Champagne glasses in a hot tub, writing: 'Lovely day in Harrogate celebrating our first wedding anniversary with my love.'Mr Garside also marked the milestone online, sharing wedding photographs and writing: '1 year since you became my wife!! I love you more and more every day, happy anniversary.'But the inquest heard the celebrations later took a tragic turn after the couple drank alcohol and took cocaine while visiting bars in the town. Abigail Garside, 30, an accomplished horse rider, was found dead just hours after posting joyful pictures celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her husband Sam Garside at a luxury spa The couple (pictured) had shared joyful pictures on social media at the 300-acre Rudding Park resort just hours before Mrs Garside's body was discovered Sam Garside leaves Northallerton Coroners Court today where the inquest into his wife's death, Abigail Garside, has been heardWhile at Mojo's bar, an argument erupted after Mrs Garside became involved in a dispute over a pool cue.The couple decided to leave, but the row continued back at the hotel, where she accused him of not standing up for her.Mrs Garside left angrily while Mr Garside, a project manager, fell asleep and woke to find his wife had not returned.She was discovered by a member of the public in the centre of the town shortly after 6.20am on August 18, and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.Sarah Middleton, the assistant coroner for North Yorkshire, said: 'That weekend should have been special because it was her wedding anniversary.'You were in Harrogate celebrating, you had a lovely day. You went to the spa, celebrated with Champagne, had some food, had some drinks.'Alcohol was consumed and you may have taken some cocaine. Abigail took cocaine as well.'There was an argument in a bar. Abigail and you left.'You returned to the hotel between midnight and 1am. There was an argument there and Abigail left the hotel between 2 and 2.30am. Abigail's death came a year on from her wedding to Sam (seen above) on August 17, 2024, at the Crow Wood Hotel and Spa resort in Burnley, Lancashire Mrs Garside was well-known in equestrian circles, winning at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show in 2019'Sadly, she left her phone there. Mr Garside fell asleep and when he woke up, Abigail was not there. He went to look for her.'Sadly, a member of the public had located Abigail.'Toxicology tests revealed Mrs Garside had a 'high level' of alcohol in her blood, as well as cocaine. Ms Middleton said the combination was likely to have influenced her actions.She told how Mrs Garside was 'happily married' and 'looking to the future', telling how the couple were weeks away from relocating to Australia with their dogs.The coroner said: 'Abigail was a girl who loved life. She loved her husband, she was planning a life in Australia and loved her animals.'She had no chronic health conditions, no regular medications and no mental health issues at all.'She had everything to live for.'The couple had married a year earlier at the Crow Wood Hotel and Spa near Burnley and lived in a three-bed new-build detached home on the outskirts of Blackburn.In a statement, Mr Garside described booking two nights at a hotel and spending the Saturday quietly watching films and enjoying a takeaway.On the Sunday, they went to Bettys for breakfast before heading to the spa, where they drank Champagne.After returning to the hotel, they continued drinking vodka Red Bulls and tequila before going out again.Mr Garside said they were both 'a bit drunk' and had taken cocaine, something he admitted was 'not out of the ordinary for either of us'.After she walked out of the hotel room, Mr Garside said he tried calling his wife, only to realise she had left her phone behind.When she failed to return by morning, he drove around Harrogate searching for her and later wondered whether she might have taken a taxi home.He told the court he only learned of her death after noticing police across the road from the hotel and speaking to an officer.A police constable said Mr Garside told officers his wife had 'stormed out' of the hotel room. Another officer described him as being in 'visible shock, shaking and crying'.Mrs Garside was an accomplished dressage rider who won at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show in 2019 and was well known in the equestrian community.Friends said she was also a keen traveller and outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hiking, wild swimming and skydiving.The couple had advertised their new-build detached home on the outskirts of Blackburn for rent and had secured visas ahead of their planned move to Australia with their three dachshund dogs.Earlier this summer, Mrs Garside posted a photograph of the couple in Melbourne, writing: 'We've been keeping a secret. This is our new future home.'On the same day, Mr Garside wrote on Instagram: 'It's been a long 6 month process but we are officially Australia bound! Visas approved. House secured.'A whole new chapter and adventure begins.' Mrs Garside was discovered dead in public gardens on August 18, the morning after toasting a marriage milestone with husband Samuel at a luxury spa retreat Mr and Mrs Garside (pictured) had been planning to move to Melbourne and had secured visas ahead of their planned move with their three dachshund dogsRecording a narrative verdict, the coroner concluded: 'I know from experience the combination of alcohol and cocaine can make people act in a way they wouldn't normally, and what happened to Abigail just seems completely out of character.'If she hadn't taken the alcohol and cocaine there's no way she would have [taken her life]. She had far too much to live for.'Mrs Garside's father Andrew Leaver told the inquest that his daughter 'loved life'.He said: 'She had a great future. She was happily married and everything was on the up. When we found out it was a complete shock.'Following her death, Mr Garside paid tribute to his wife on social media, sharing a photograph taken the previous day and writing: 'My absolute world, my best friend and my beautiful darling wife.'I will love you forever and you will never leave my heart xxx.'Ribble Valley Riding Club, where Mrs Garside had been a member for more than 20 years, said it was deeply saddened by her death, describing her as a highly valued supporter who would be 'sadly missed by everyone in the horse world'.For help and support, phone the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org
