15-year-old girl who thought she was invincible 'paid the ultimate price' after taking 'legal high'

A 15-year-old girl who thought she was invincible "paid the ultimate price" when she died after taking a substance formerly known as a "legal high". 

The parents of Leah Kerry urged other teenagers to "make better and safer choices" and called for the government to take more action over new psychoactive substance (NPS), which were known as "legal highs" until they were made illegal last year. 

Leah was found unconscious in Bakers Park in Newton Abbot, Devon. She was taken to Torbay District Hospital at around 4.50am on July 15 and died there later with her parents at her bedside.

Two other girls, believed to have taken the same substance, were taken to hospital as a precaution and released later.

In a statement issued through Devon and Cornwall Police, Leah's family described her death as "the most painful experience that we have all ever had to endure".

"Leah was a delightful strong-willed, caring and compassionate child and had developed into a courageous and confident young woman who was ready to take on the world," they said.

"Leah had the benefit of good information and advice from many different sources at various intervals of her adolescent life," her family added.

"Leah was well aware of the nature of different illicit substances and the risks attached.

"Sadly, despite being well aware of the risks, she thought she was invincible and she rolled the dice and has paid the ultimate price.

"If there are any young people who have known Leah, or who have heard about her story, I would urge them on Leah's behalf to not make the same mistake and to make better and safer choices when out in the community.

"If even one young person decides to reduce their risk taking behaviour and not take these dangerous NPS tablets, then Leah's death has not been in vain."

The family also asked for the government to place the dangers of psychoactive substances at the top of their agenda following the Drugs Strategy for 2017, published the day before Leah's death.

The Psychoactive Substances Act, which came into effect in May 2016, made it illegal to produce, supply or import NPS for human consumption.

"It's so shocking that a 15-year-old girl who is socialising with other 15-year-old peers is able to easily have access to a drug so strong that it could lead to her death in the way that it did," they said.

Jacob Khanlarian, 20, from Newton Abbot, has been charged with two counts of supplying MDMA and one count of supplying cannabis. He appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on July 17 and was remanded in custody.