A ‘beloved’ 24-year-old primary school teacher collapsed on her bedroom floor and later died after taking cocaine on a night out, an inquest has heard.
Emily Rose Browning was described by her family and friends as a ‘kind, caring, and beautiful young lady’ who loved teaching.
The inquest in Pontypridd heard that Ms Browning had been on a night out with friends in Cardiff on the evening of December 7, 2024, where she drank heavily and also took cocaine.
She collapsed on her bedroom floor where she was later found by her boyfriend, Jack Weston, who dialled 999.
Ms Browning was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales where she sadly died three days later.
The inquest heard that the primary school teacher – who taught at Gladstone Primary school in Cardiff – was believed to have choked on her own vomit.
Coroner Graeme Hughes said Emily had been socialising with friends at home before heading into Cardiff city centre.
He said: ‘During this time she has consumed alcohol and cocaine.
Emily Rose Browning (pictured), a ‘beloved’ primary school teacher who worked in Cardiff, collapsed on her bedroom floor and later died after taking cocaine on a night out
Ms Browning with her boyfriend Jack Weston. He found found Ms Browning collapsed on her bedroom floor and called an ambulance
‘She became intermittently unwell, and friends did have some concerns for her welfare.
‘She and her boyfriend returned home and she went to bed. After he returned home a short while later, she was found on the floor of the bedroom.’
Mr Hughes said it was likely Ms Browning had aspirated vomit and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where she died on December 10.
Mr Hughes recorded a conclusion of alcohol and drug-related death, saying she likely died due to the ‘intoxicating effects of alcohol and illicit drug use, leading to aspiration of vomit, cardiac arrest and a devastating hypoxic brain injury’.
He told the Pontypridd hearing Ms Browning’s medical cause of death was brain injury linked to oxygen deprivation, with underlying causes of aspiration and acute alcohol and cocaine intoxication.
In a tribute following her death Ms Browning’s school said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of Emily, a beloved teacher at Gladstone, whose kindness, passion, and dedication left a lasting impact on every child, colleague, and parent who had the privilege of knowing her.’
Ms Browning, of Somerset, had settled in Cardiff having gained a criminology degree and masters in psychology before embarking on her teaching career.
The school in Heath, Cardiff, plans to build a memorial garden for the teacher and to ‘create a space that embodies the warmth and compassion Emily shared with us every day’.
Ms Browning was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales where she sadly died three days later. The inquest heard that the primary school teacher – who taught at Gladstone Primary school in Cardiff – was believed to have choked on her own vomit
Ms Browning, of Somerset, had settled in Cardiff having gained a criminology degree and masters in psychology before embarking on her teaching career
‘To honour her memory, we are going to create a memorial garden,’ the school said.
‘This garden will be a space for reflection, joy, and growth-a place where children can learn through outdoor experiences, and find peace and inspiration. It will reflect Emily’s values of nurturing curiosity, creativity, and well-being in every learner.’
Her boyfriend Mr Weston launched a fundraiser to help build the garden.
The fund has now raised more than £40,000.
The page said: ‘At just 24 years old, the cruelty of her passing has been heartbreaking for all of her family, friends, and everyone who knew her.
‘She was a kind, caring, beautiful young lady who lived life to the full, and the happiness she brought to those who loved her will be forever eternal.
‘Pursuing her love for teaching, she worked at a wide variety of schools all across South Wales, helping to shape so many young minds along the way. Emily’s most recent school, Gladstone Primary, is what sits at the heart of this foundation.’
