A MOTHER overdosed on amphetamines and died on the floor of a friend's flat after her life spiraled downhill following the murder of the "love of her life".
Tracey Reynolds died, aged 36, after taking two grams of amphetamine while partying with two friends and partner Paul Selby at a flat in Wellowgate on August 22 last year, an inquest heard.
Coroner Paul Kelly recorded that her death was the result of an accidental overdose of non-prescription drugs, at the hearing at Cleethorpes Town Hall.
She left behind son Callum Stembridge, 17, and mum Anne Eaton, 56, of Inchmery Road, Grimsby, who said Tracey was someone who always made everyone laugh.
However, Anne also said Tracey, of Robert Pearson Mews, had a hard life, which took a turn for the worse after the love of her life Michael Smith was stabbed at 2.05am on New Year's Day, 2005, and died in hospital on January 2.
"Smithy", as Tracey called him, was stabbed at a party on Newsham Drive, Grimsby, by David Burns, who was sentenced to life in prison for murder at Hull Crown Court in May that year.
Anne said: "Tracey had a lot of bad things happen to her and it's not an excuse because not everyone turns to drugs, but whenever she stopped something would happen and she would start again.
"She had a few bad boyfriends but things started to look up when she met Smithy – he was great with Callum and they were going to make a life together.
"They had been an item for about three years, but when he was murdered that's when her life started to really go downhill."
Anne said she had a suspicion her daughter took drugs, but she held down a job, always did her make-up and looked presentable, and like most parents, she wanted to see her in the best light.
"I knew for a long time, but she would always deny it and I wanted to believe her," Anne said.
Since the tragedy of her daughter's death, Anne has wanted to warn others of the dangers of amphetamine use – which many don't feel are as dangerous as substances such as heroin.
"I've heard people say that amphetamine can't kill you but it can – it killed my daughter," she said. "If this story can prevent someone else dying, then Tracey's death won't have been in vain."
Tracey's stepfather Bill Eaton, 63, who she called Pops, described her as "a lovely bubbly person".
Son Callum simply said: "I loved her and I miss her every day."
Anne added: "I know she wasn't perfect. She was someone who made you laugh and made you cry, but she would help anyone if she could.
"People think that druggies are just down-and-outs, but Tracey was always presentable, kept down a job and she loved me, Bill and Callum – and we loved her.
"Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare and I can't even go into town anymore because it is where we always used to bump into each other.
"I try to imagine she is somewhere else rather than dead but not a day goes by when I don't think of her.
"I'd like to thank the ambulance crew who tried their best to revive her and the police for all their investigations and the way they have treated our family."
