Updated 19th February 2020
And with an inquest, lasting four minutes and adjourned until 5th August, hearing that the provisional cause of death was given as suspension by ligature (telegraph.co.uk):
Caroline Flack’s unpublished Instagram post released by family (bbc.co.uk).
The unpublished post said her “whole world and future was swept from under my feet” when she had been arrested for assaulting her boyfriend in December.
Her mother said Flack had been advised not to publish the message, which has now been shared through the Eastern Daily Press.
With her need to write the message further suggesting what a bullying, judgmental panopticon social media platforms have become perhaps adding weight to claims that it is wrong to blame the media:
Media not to blame for Caroline Flack death—Editors (rte.ie).
The Society of Editors saying in a statement that:
It is “wrong to blame the media” for the death of Caroline Flack, the organisation that represents the editors of the UK’s top newspapers has said.
And that it is “wrong for politicians to use her tragic death” to attack the media and call for tougher regulation, with BoJo, the Pinkie to Rasputinesque special adviser Dominic Cumming’s Brain, as keen to regulate some newspapers and the Beeb for not being sufficiently chipper regards Brexit and attempt to have Blighty reform it’s Empire and economically rule the waves again with the half dozen tugboats it has at its disposal.
The statement also said the police investigation and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision to charge Flack for assaulting her boyfriend were matters that were “in the public domain and should be covered”.
“To believe that by silencing mainstream media on such matters would prevent speculation on social media where rumour and accusations run unchecked by the regulations the media adheres to, is both naive and dangerous,” it continued.
And with an op-ed in the Indy stressing it’s something of a chicken and egg scenario:
Petitions over Caroline Flack’s death are understandable—but they won’t lead to the change you’re hoping for (independent.co.uk).
Journalism is often shaped by the views of a publication’s readership, equally, journalism shapes those views. Journalists make choices every day in the selection of material for publication and the language used to tell those stories.
Updated 20th February 2020
And with Inspector Knacker letting watchdog sniff his truncheon for any evidence of blame as matter of course too:
Caroline Flack death: Police refer themselves to watchdog over host’s suicide (dailystar.co.uk).
In a statement, the Met said: “As is standard practice when a member of the public dies or is seriously injured and has had recent contact with police, the Directorate of Professional Standards has reviewed all previous police contact with Ms Flack.
“No notice of investigation has been served on any officer and no conduct issues have been identified by the DPS. No officer is on restricted duties or suspended.”&
Updated 5th March 2020
But with Knacker finding himself absolved of guilt:
Caroline Flack: ‘No causal link’ between police action and Love Island host’s death (bbc.co.uk).
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said there was no indication of a “causal link” between the actions of police and the presenter’s death.
While an internal review by the CPS has defended its decision to charge Flack and that its review “found that the case was handled appropriately and in line with [our] published legal guidance“ following a Freedom of Information request from the Daily Mirror.
And while brief rugby ex Danny Cipriani continued to open up about almost buying a gun to end his own life in the past (mirror.co.uk, Feb. 2020) and how he will now quit social media to come to terms with his grief after sharing his last messages with Caroline, albeit if only for a month (dailymail.co.uk, Feb. 2020):
Caroline Flack’s autobiography to be re-released with all profits going to her family (dailystar.co.uk).
Following her Strictly win in 2014, the TV presenter wrote her memoir about past relationships, life behind the spotlight, and her challenging career ladder.
With the profits from her re-released Storm in a C Cup memoir going to her family, who now oversee her estate.
Updated 5th August 2020
And with her inquest adjourned in February back under way:
Caroline Flack wanted to ‘find harmony’ with boyfriend (bbc.co.uk).
TV star Caroline Flack left a note before her death saying she had wanted to "find harmony" with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, an inquest was told.
The ex-Love Island and X Factor host had been hounded by the media and faced a "show trial" after being accused of Mr Burton's assault, the court heard.
But with the deputy chief crown prosecutor telling the hearing that the CPS had initially planned to caution Ms Flack but that senior Met Police detectives had asked to review the evidence believing an assault charge was in the public interest after although verbally admitting at the scene she had not provided a clear admission to assault in her police interview.
And with Flack begging for the assault case to be dropped in handwritten note found on coffee table after her body was discovered (dailymail.co.uk).
Updated 6th August 2020
And concluding the inquest:
Caroline Flack inquest: ‘No doubt’ presenter intended to take own life (bbc.co.uk).
[Coroner Mary Hassell] said she was "satisfied [Ms Flack] wanted to cause her own death" and "there's no doubt in my mind at all".
"For some, it seems she had a charmed life - but the more famous she got the more mentally distressed she became," she said.
"Her trauma was played out in the national press and that was incredibly distressing for her."
And with her mother confronting via videolink the police officer who pushed for her to be charged, saying “you should be disgusted with yourself” (dailymail.co.uk).
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