A newly qualified paramedic was tragically found dead by her son at their family home in South East London after she battled with depression, an inquest has heard. Carla Victoria Gray, 32, was described as a "dedicated" and "much-loved" member of the London Ambulance Service, who had first joined as a trainee in 2015.
An inquest opening at Inner South London Coroner's Court this morning (Tuesday, August 9) heard that Carla had been suffering from depression since breaking up with her partner 12 months before. She lived with her son and daughter and their Eltham home and had sent her former partner text messages the evening before she died.
On February 16, 2022, her son returned during the morning from a friend's house, and found his mum hanged. He contacted the emergency services but sadly, paramedics found that she was already dead.
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A post-mortem examination found no traces of drugs or alcohol and her cause of death was given as 1a) asphyxia and 1b) hanging. Speaking at the short hearing, her brother Gareth said that Carla had previously sought treatment for depression in 2018 after witnessing "something quite horrific" during the course of her work as an emergency responder.
Having joined the LAS in 2015, she had progressed to Emergency Ambulance Crew in 2016 and had moved to the Greenwich Group two years later. It was only in January, a month before she died, that she had qualified as a paramedic.
At the time of her death, Daniel Elkeles, London Ambulance Service Chief Executive, said: "Carla will be remembered as a dedicated colleague and a dedicated clinician. She had worked hard to become a paramedic and was known for her caring nature which she extended to both colleagues and to her patients, who she treated with empathy and kindness. Carla was always there for her colleagues and crewmates and was a popular member of the team.
"My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Carla's two children Elliott, who is 14, and Isla, who is 4, her mother Daryl, twin sister Leah, elder sister Natasha - and all her loved ones. I am also thinking of Carla's colleagues and many friends here at London Ambulance Service and I extend to them my support during this tragic and difficult time."
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