Cosmetic Doctor Drowns After Breakup Heartbreak and Drug-Alcohol Mix, Inquest Hears

Dr Rielle Longhurst, 30, was found dead in her bathtub on August 22 last year

A young cosmetic doctor tragically drowned in her bath after consuming wine and drugs in the aftermath of discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity, an inquest has heard.

Dr. Rielle Longhurst, 30, was found dead in her Notting Hill flat on August 22, 2023, following a breakup with her partner Charlie Procter, who she had described as the love of her life. The incident occurred after an emotional confrontation the night before, triggered by Rielle learning Charlie had a one-night stand during a work trip to France.

She had been upset that her boyfriend Charlie Procter had been unfaithful

According to evidence presented at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court, Rielle made remarks about suicide during their argument, but Charlie did not believe she was serious. He left her flat around 10 p.m. to stay with his parents. The following morning, after being unable to reach her by phone and noticing no activity on her typically active social media accounts, he returned to the flat.

Upon arrival, Charlie was locked out but looked through a bathroom window and saw Rielle submerged in the tub. He broke in, pulled her from the water, and attempted CPR. Emergency services were called at 12:03 p.m., but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charlie found Rielle and performed CPR on her before calling paramedics

Detective Constable Jorge Sobral of the Metropolitan Police reported that two wine glasses, empty medication packets hidden in a plant pot, and a half-empty drug container were found in the flat. Rielle had also left handwritten letters addressed to her mother Phyllis, father Graham, and sister Georga. Her mobile phone was placed beside the bath taps, with a candle lit nearby.

Toxicology analysis revealed that Dr. Longhurst had consumed alcohol above the legal driving limit and had opioids in her system at levels high enough to induce drowsiness but not considered fatal. Her cause of death was confirmed as drowning, with alcohol listed as a contributing factor.

The court heard that Rielle had only recently started her job as an aesthetics doctor in London in June 2023. She had been in a relationship with Charlie since 2021, and her father described Charlie as “everything she had ever wanted.” He added, “Charlie strayed and it really upset her.”

A coroner recorded a conclusion of misadventure

Friend Tory Kaye testified that she last saw Rielle on the afternoon of August 21, when Rielle had been texting the woman with whom Charlie had cheated, asking for more details about the affair. A text message sent by Rielle to Charlie on August 20 stated she "wanted to die because he had cheated." On August 21, she sent him a message parting ways and wishing him well.

Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin concluded the death as one of misadventure. She stated, “We have heard that Rielle was very talented, very clever, and loved by all. The breakup troubled her deeply, and while she made comments about not wanting to live, that’s not unusual in such emotional distress.”

The coroner explained that while Rielle had taken a strong opioid and alcohol, the levels were not lethal on their own but could have made her drowsy, contributing to her accidental drowning. She added, “Despite the presence of notes, the family and Charlie both strongly believe Rielle did not intend to die. It’s likely she was expecting Charlie to return and wanted to convey the pain he had caused.”

Rielle, one of five siblings, was a former grammar school student who studied medicine at the University of Liverpool, qualifying as a doctor in 2017. Her death has left a deep void in the lives of her family, friends, and colleagues.