The body of a young woman described as “beautiful and talented” was found in her residence in Bolton a year after her passing.
Charlotte Leader, aged 23, was discovered deceased in her flat on Newbury Walk, Bolton, Greater Manchester, following a welfare check by the police on August 6, according to information presented at the Bolton Coroner’s Court.
Charlotte’s mother, Chantay Simm, mentioned that the family had lost contact with her daughter since September 2021 and despite efforts to locate her, she remained untraceable. Neighbors also reported rarely seeing Charlotte outside her residence.
In a social media tribute, her family expressed, “Charlotte was a remarkably beautiful and talented young woman. She excelled in playing the guitar and keyboard, and she had a passion for art. She was deeply cherished by the family and will be dearly missed.”
Assistant Coroner Stephen Teasdale informed the court that Charlotte had been dealing with mental health challenges, noting, “Over time, she distanced herself from the family, isolated from others, and disengaged from mental health services.”
Mr. Teasdale disclosed that Charlotte declined a mental health appointment in 2022 and ceased further communication with services. He also clarified that no illegal substances were found at the scene and her diaries did not indicate any related issues.
Charlotte’s sister, Caroline Calow, mentioned that the 23-year-old had a history of eating disorders, including bulimia, from a young age. She noted the absence of any medications in the flat and described it as being well-maintained, not reflective of someone who had given up.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a significant number of letters by the front door and food in the refrigerator with expiration dates of July 2024. Charlotte’s body was subsequently found beneath her duvet.
Detective Inspector Paul Quinn described the flat as minimally furnished and exceptionally clean, stating that there was no indication of suicidal intent or any suspicious activities. Additionally, boxes of a detox cleanser were recovered.
DI Quinn revealed that the only interactions on Charlotte’s phone were with ChatGPT, where she sought assistance. Her final message, dated July 30, 2024, read: “Help me, I’ve went and got food again.”
The chatbot responded, “You seem conflicted about eating,” prompting Charlotte to express frustration over unwanted food.
DI Quinn remarked, “All her interactions followed a similar pattern – there were no dialogues with anyone else, her only communication was with ChatGPT.”
Dr. Andrew Coates, a pathologist at Royal Bolton Hospital, mentioned the challenges of examining Charlotte’s remains, noting that her body had undergone mummification, a process
