An accomplished accountant who was caught drink driving took her own life after fearing she would lose her dream job, a court has heard. 

The body of Marina Watters was found dead at her flat at Warren Place in Toftwood, Dereham, on April 26 last year. 

Her family became concerned for her after she failed to turn up to work and they were unable to contact her. 

An inquest into her death heard that the 26-year-old had been charged with drink driving three days previously during the early hours of April 23. 

Officers from Norfolk Police witnessed her "driving erratically” and “swerving from side to side” while driving her Audi A1 through Dereham. 

And following a roadside breathalyser test, she was recorded as twice the legal limit measuring 71mg in 100ml of breath. 

She was arrested and detained at Wymondham Police Station and released later the same day with a date to appear at Magistrate’s Court the following month. 

Dereham Times: An inquest was held at Norfolk Coroner's Court into the death of Marina Watters

David Howes, previously of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s liaison diversion team, gave evidence at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on March 22. 

He explained that he met with Miss Watters during her detainment to assess her mental health. 

This is a procedure routinely carried out for female detainees as they are considered “high risk”. 

He said: “She fully engaged with relevant and articulate responses. 

“She was just tearful, regretted her decisions, and said she had made a stupid mistake. She presented as remorseful. 

“She denied having any thoughts of suicide or self-harm.  

“She was just worried about not being able to drive for her job and visiting her grandparents to help them with their shopping.” 

Before she left Wymondham Police Station, she was signposted to external agencies who she was advised might be able to support her. 

A Safety Incident Review was carried out following her death. 

Area coroner Samantha Goward confirmed that the report flagged no areas of concern, and everything had been “in accordance with routine practice.” 

Ms Goward recorded a brief narrative conclusion. 

She said: “Marina Watters died due to a deliberate hanging, but her thought process may have been impacted due to side effects of taking ketamine, so her intent is not known.” 

Dereham Times:

'THE LIFE AND SOUL OF EVERYTHING’ 

Following her death, Miss Watter’s loved ones paid tribute to her and urged others who may be struggling to “speak out”.  

They described her as "the glue of all her social circles” and “the life and soul of everything”.  

The youngest of two, Miss Watters was born on July 26, 1996, in Norwich. 

She grew up in Dereham where she attended Toftwood Infants and Juniors before going to Neatherd High School. 

She showed talent for numbers from a young age and fulfilled her ambition of becoming a fully qualified chartered accountant.  

As well as enjoying socialising in her hometown, she was hugely devoted to her family – including her nana and grandad – and liked playing pool and betting on the horses.  

Her brother Michael 'Mikey' Watters attended the inquest. 

He said: “She was my everything, my rock, I'm deeply hurt, and I cannot imagine how I can move on in life without her.” 

He urged others who were experiencing any mental health problems to speak out and talk. 

  • Mr Watters urged people suffering with mental ill health to contact the charity Mind by calling 0300 330 5488 or emailing rictriage@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk 
  • If you need help and support, call NHS 111 and select option 2 or call Samaritans on 116 123. Both services are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can also download the Stay Alive app on Apple & Android. 
  • To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk
  • To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.