Accountant, 26, who was caught drink driving hanged herself three days later after fearing she would lose her dream job, inquest hears

An accountant who was caught drink-driving hanged herself three days later for fear of losing her dream job, an inquest has heard.

Marina Watters, 26, was found dead when police were sent to her apartment to check on her on April 26 last year. Just three days earlier she had been charged with exceeding the alcohol limit while driving.

Miss Watters’ family became concerned when she did not turn up for work and could not be contacted at her home in Dereham, Norfolk.

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard how police had seen Miss Watters “driving erratically” and “steering from side to side” behind the wheel of her Audi A1 in Dereham in the early hours of April 23.

She failed a roadside breathalyzer test after she was found to be twice the legal limit at 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath and was charged with drink-driving.

Miss Watters was released from Wymondham Police Station and bailed to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court in May 2023.

The inquest heard how David Howes, previously a member of the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust liaison diversion team, assessed his mental health during his detention.

He told the inquest that his assessment of her was standard procedure routinely carried out for female detainees as they are considered “high risk”.

Howes said: ‘She fully engaged with relevant and articulate responses.

“She was just crying, regretting her decisions and saying she had made a stupid mistake. She came forward remorseful.

‘She denied having any thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

“The only thing he was worried about was not being able to drive to work and visit his grandparents to help them with shopping.”

Miss Watters was also informed that external agencies could support her before she left the police station.

The hearing was told a review of security incidents had been carried out following his death. Norfolk area coroner Samantha Goward confirmed the review had found no areas of concern and everything had been “in accordance with usual practice”.

Ms Goward recorded a narrative conclusion, saying: “Marina Watters died due to deliberate hanging, but her thought process may have been affected due to the side effects of taking ketamine, so her intention is unknown.”

Following her death, Miss Watter’s loved ones paid tribute to her and urged others who may be struggling to “speak up”.

They described her as “the glue of all their social circles” and “the life and soul of everything.”

Her brother Michael Watters, who attended the inquest, said: “She was my everything, my rock, I am deeply hurt and can’t imagine how I can move forward in life without her.”

He urged other people experiencing any mental health issues to speak up and speak out.

Miss Watters, who grew up in Dereham, was said to have had a talent for numbers from a young age and fulfilled her ambition of becoming a fully qualified chartered accountant.

In addition to enjoying socializing, she was very devoted to her family.

Watters, 30, from Scarning, Norfolk, said: “She was one of those people who wouldn’t want to tell anyone anything that would cause them pain.”

‘She was the kind of person who could bring people together and help anyone who was upset.

‘If there’s anything to learn from this it’s that we want people to know that it’s okay to not be okay.

“We want people to know that it’s okay to reach out and talk.”

Miss Watters’ best friend of five years, Cherise Barnard, 23, said at the time of her death: “Marina was the life and soul of everything.”

‘She touched everyone she spoke to with her personality and had an impact on everyone who knew her.

“The only thing she ever wanted to do was help others.”

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