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Warning Over 'Diet Pills' After Student Dies

Warning Over 'Diet Pills' After Student Dies

A 21-year-old student died after taking "diet pills" she bought online, it has emerged.

Eloise Parry died at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 12 April after taking the tablets, West Mercia Police said.

Tests are being carried out on the pills but they are believed to contain dinitrophenol, also known as DNP, a highly toxic industrial chemical.

Chief Inspector Jennifer Mattinson said: "We are undoubtedly concerned over the origin and sale of these pills and are working with partner agencies to establish where they were bought from and how they were advertised.

"The coroner's report will establish the exact cause of Eloise's death but we urge the public to be incredibly careful when purchasing medicine or supplements over the internet.

"Substances from unregistered websites could put your health at risk as they could be extremely harmful, out-of-date or fake."

It is not clear how many of the pills Ms Parry took, or how long she had been taking them.

Her mother, Fiona Parry, said: "It is such a great sadness that her life ended so soon, and, in many ways, ended before it had really had a chance to begin.

"There were so many things that she dreamed of doing - travelling, having a career and having a family - things that she never got a chance to experience.

"She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and it will be all the good memories of her that we will cherish as we go through the difficult weeks and months ahead."

A spokesman from Glyndwr University, where Ms Parry was a student, said she was "a popular student with staff, peers, across the university and within placement".

"She always strived to do her best in everything and had great potential both academically and in practice.

"She will be sadly missed by us all."

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is urged to contact police on 101.