A coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-year-old Eloise Parry from Shrewsbury has concluded that an accidental overdose of diet pills caused her death.

Eloise, who died in Shrewsbury Hospital on 12 April, was found to have taken the highly toxic chemical dinitrophenol (DNP) in the form of diet pills which were purchased over the internet.

After her death West Mercia Police launched an investigation to ascertain how and where the pills containing the harmful substance were sold and advertised.

Dinitrophenol (DNP) is a chemical used in pesticides, it is highly toxic and is not fit for human consumption. Eloise is thought to have purchased DNP on more than one occasion from the internet in the belief that it would help her to lose weight.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Matthews, who is leading the inquiry, said: “We are working closely with various partner agencies such as the Food Standards Agency and Interpol who have both issued warnings to highlight the dangers of taking DNP following Eloise’s tragic death.

“In conjunction with the Food Standards Agency and Public Health England we would like to reiterate to the public the dangers of ingesting this substance. DNP is a very dangerous substance, it is a highly toxic industrial chemical and its consumption can quickly lead to serious medical implications and death.”