Gardai launch investigation into Katy's death
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GARDAI last night launched a full investigation to establish how top model Katy French died.
The tragic 24-year-old passed away peacefully in the arms of her sister Jill at Navan Hospital yesterday afternoon after her life-support machine was switched off.
Katy's heartbroken parents were also at her bedside.
The model had been in a critical condition in the hospital since the early hours of Sunday after she became seriously ill at the home of a friend in Kilmessan, Co Meath.
Her death changed the status of the garda inquiries which, up to yesterday afternoon, had been carried out discreetly on an informal basis.
However, an official report on the circumstances surrounding Katy's sudden death will now be prepared by gardai for the coroner and an inquest will be held.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death and, if necessary, toxicology tests will be performed to determine if Katy had taken any substances which could have been a contributory factor.
The pathologist will also have access to the results of tests already done in the hospital this week.
A team of consultants are understood to have examined Katy in Our Lady's Hospital yesterday afternoon.
The decision to turn off the life-support machine was taken after their examination.
It is believed Katy's family had already decided on Wednesday night that her organs should be donated to medical science.
Senior garda officers from the Louth-Meath division last night appointed several detectives to head up the investigation and they are expected to interview people who were known to have been in Katy's company in the 24 hours before she became ill.
Detectives may also speak to friends, who had attended Katy's birthday party in central Dublin last Thursday night, to establish her general demeanour at that stage.
The Irish Independent yesterday revealed that gardai had begun preliminary inquiries, but as they had not received any complaint in connection with her illness there was no basis at the time for a full investigation.
However, in preparing a report for the coroner, the gardai will now have the power of arrest if they suspect that a potential witness is not being forthcoming with vital information.
Officers maintained a line of contact between them and Katy's family throughout the week -- although, up to yesterday afternoon, it was being used more for liaison purposes rather than an investigation.
Informal inquiries confirmed that Katy had become ill while staying at the home of a friend, Kieron Ducie, and his partner on Friday night.
Alarmed
It is understood that Mr Ducie had spent much of Friday night in Dublin city and that Katy had called to the house to visit his partner.
The couple became alarmed when they discovered that Katy was ill and Mr Ducie drove her to Our Lady's Hospital.
Gardai spoke to the couple on Wednesday and said there was no indication anybody else had been in the house on Friday night or early Saturday morning.
There was also no concrete evidence to indicate that anything untoward had taken place in the hours prior to her illness.
Gardai dismissed media reports earlier in the week that Katy had become unwell while attending a party at a house in Ashbourne.
A statement issued last night by the Health Service Executive on behalf of Katy's family said: "Katy has passed away peacefully in the arms of her sister, Jill, and alongside her Mum and Dad. Her family thanks everyone so much for all the prayers and support, and especially all the staff in Navan Hospital who gave her special care and attention throughout.
"We have been overwhelmed by the letters, blessings, gifts and prayers from people all over the country. It gave us strength and helped Katy so much.
"Although we did not get our yearned-for miracle, all the expressions of love you sent her were powerfully healing in different ways. And we hope that you can continue to send your love to her as she journeys on," the statement added.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
