Inquest opens into the death of Rachel Garratt

Monday 22 May 2023

Emma Favata of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team represents the family of Rachel Garratt, instructed by Chris Callendar of Simpson Millar and supported by the charity INQUEST.

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The inquest into the death of Rachel Garratt opens on 22 May 2023 and is scheduled to last for eight days.

Rachel Garratt died on 29 July 2020 at 22 years old, after tragically falling from a cliff in Brighton. She was an aspiring teacher and talented musician and had been a second-year student at Bath Spa University before returning to live with her parents in Hove due to a breakdown in her mental health.

There had been five attempts by Rachel to end her life in a four-week period (in July 2020) prior to her death. Rachel’s family had been desperately fighting to get her readmitted to a secure mental health ward for treatment and support. 

The inquest will examine the care provided by Sussex mental health services and the actions of the police in their contact with Rachel, including the use of force and arrest.

This inquest has received widespread news coverage: The Argus, and ITV News.

See INQUEST's press release here.

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