Kirsty Earnshaw, 37, of Chard, Somerset County, England, was looking forward to her wedding when a pre-wedding holiday to the island of St. Lucia with her mother, Lynn, turned tragic.
On August 3, 2021, Lynn found Kirsty floating face down in the hotel pool. An ambulance arrived, but Kirsty was pronounced dead shortly after at a local clinic, with drowning listed as the cause of death.
The inquest, which took place on September 25, 2024, at Taunton Coroner’s Court in Somerset County, England, revealed that Kirsty was a strong swimmer. However, despite multiple requests, authorities in St. Lucia were unable to provide a toxicology report or other key details. Coroner Samantha Marsh conveyed her frustration over the limited cooperation from authorities in St. Lucia, describing the lack of assistance as disappointing.
Kirsty’s post-mortem examination, conducted in the UK, hinted that she may have had an undiagnosed heart conduction issue that could cause irregular heartbeats. Another potentially contributing factor was her consumption of alcoholic beverages. She was a heavy drinker but had been drinking less recently. Kirsty’s doctor’s records indicate that at one point, she was consuming up to 17 fluid ounces of alcohol per week, which is about the same as 20 standard drinks.
Kirsty enjoyed a successful career as a head chef, with her father noting she was particularly known for her skills in French cuisine. In 2010, she was featured in a high-profile magazine when she became the head chef at the Five Dials Inn in Somerset. Later, she worked at the upscale Dinnington Docks, a location once highlighted in an episode of Channel 4’s Time Team. At the time of her passing, she held the position of head chef there.
In a social media tribute, Kirsty’s former employer reflected on her impact, describing her as a chef who was not only their own but also belonged to everyone. They emphasized how Kirsty played a significant role in the lives of many.