Imagine dining out, surrounded by laughter and conversation, only to discover the harrowing truth that someone was silently suffering just feet away. That’s exactly what happened when a woman’s body was found in a restaurant toilet, lying undiscovered for nearly three days.

The tragic incident unfolded on November 28, 2024, at the Gurkha Buffet Restaurant and hotel bar in Blackpool, where 47-year-old Sabrina Lyttle sought solace from the biting cold. According to an inquest into her death, she was discovered face down in the disabled toilet by staff who had received complaints from customers about being unable to access the restroom.

On November 30, staff, concerned after peering through a keyhole, called the police, leading to the shocking revelation of her lifeless body. Sabrina’s daughter, Jade, shared her anguish with the media, revealing that while patrons enjoyed their meals and drinks, her mother lay unnoticed. "I’m angry because she could have been found sooner; they should have done the usual toilet checks. It’s heartbreaking because we know she was left in the cold, on her own,” Jade lamented.

The investigation revealed that CCTV footage showed Sabrina entering the restaurant’s bathroom at 8:30 PM on that fateful day, but she was never seen again. Details emerged that Sabrina was struggling with substance abuse, having recently been released from prison after serving three weeks. A crack pipe was discovered next to her body, adding a grim layer to this tragic story.

Detective Inspector Liam Davy, who was called to testify, speculated that Sabrina might have entered the bathroom seeking warmth, as she had no fixed address. “My hypothesis at the time was she possibly entered the toilet to keep warm, and that her death was caused by the drugs or because of a medical episode,” he explained. Fortunately, he confirmed that there was no evidence of foul play.

Consultant forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd testified that the levels of methadone in Sabrina's system could have impacted her lung capacity. Meanwhile, the presence of cocaine might have led to a fatal heart issue. “It is really difficult to tell because it all depends on her tolerance to these drugs,” he stated, highlighting the complex nature of drug reactions.

Ultimately, Coroner Margaret Taylor concluded that Lyttle died from mixed drugs toxicity, asserting, “If we apply common sense, it would seem she died shortly after going into the toilet because there is no evidence she tried to come out.” This heartbreaking incident raises important questions about the vulnerabilities faced by those struggling with addiction, and how society often overlooks the most desperate among us.