Tributes paid after Bexhill fundraiser’s sudden death

Tributes have been paid to a former hairdresser from Bexhill who died suddenly last year.
Penny Denwood is pictured in 2009 SUS-210701-122423001Penny Denwood is pictured in 2009 SUS-210701-122423001
Penny Denwood is pictured in 2009 SUS-210701-122423001

Scottish born Penny Denwood passed away at her family’s home in Suffolk Road on May 21 2020. She was 43.

Miss Denwood, who had a young daughter, had been a prominent figure in the business community running her own salon in Bexhill and also raised thousands of pounds for the special baby care charity Bliss, after losing two premature babies and suffering miscarriages.

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But following the tragedies, Miss Denwood suffered PTSD and mental health issues and began using drugs.

An inquest into her death at Eastbourne Town Hall on Thursday (January 7), heard Miss Denwood’s death was due to drug toxicity.

Miss Denwood’s family said she had begun to turn her life around and was looking forward to the future.

Her mother Heather Cowley said her daughter was an amazing mother and the family were proud of her.

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Miss Denwood’s brother-in-law Alistair Martin said, “Penny was very upbeat and looking forward to the future. She was looking stunning and loving life.”

The inquest heard Miss Denwood had been receiving help from mental health workers, engaged with drug rehabilitation organisation STAR and was on a methadone programme.

Presiding over the inquest East Sussex coroner James Healy Pratt said he was satisfied Miss Denwood had not taken her own life.

He said, “In spite of treatment and her best efforts to recover, she suffered a tragic and fatal reaction to multiple drugs.”

The coroner ruled Miss Denwood’s death was drug related.

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