Shropshire Star

'She did not need to do anything about her weight': Mother's heartache at losing Ella

To the outside world, Ella Parry was the last young woman you would expect to be taking diet pills in a desperate bid to be slimmer.

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Fiona Parry holds photos of her daughter, Ella, who has died aged 21 after unwittingly taking an overdose of slimming pills

On the surface, the 21-year-old university student was a picture of radiance.

Her heartbroken mother Fiona Parry described her daughter as an "extrovert" who was "full of life" and "bouncing around" the last time she saw her alive.

2001 – Ella at Condover CofE Primary School

That was the Ella Parry the world saw – but beneath the surface and behind closed doors, she was battling the demons faced by hundreds of other young women desperate to "fit in" in today's celebrity-obsessed culture.

She was a healthy 5ft 10in size 10. But for two years before her death, she periodically suffered with bulimia.

And, at some point either weeks or months before she died, she turned to the internet and bought some slimming pills she hoped would have the desired effect.

Investigations are still ongoing as to where she got the pills from, exactly what they contained and how they were advertised before possible legal proceedings are instigated.

However, the pills are believed to contain a substance called dinitrophenol or DNP.

One tablet a day was the recommended amount. Two was a lethal dose. Ella took eight.

Her mother, speaking from her home in Condover, near Shrewsbury, said: "The first I knew (of the diet pills) was when the doctors told me after she had died, I didn't know about them.

"She was 5ft 10in and a size 10 – you can work out from that she didn't need to do anything.

"Most women aspire to be a size 12, let alone size 10. She did not need to do anything about her weight."

Miss Parry, an A-level chemistry teacher at Concord College, said she had not heard of DNP being used as a slimming aid.

She was quick to hit out at the people advertising the tablets for sale.

"This stuff is not meant for human consumption," she said. "It's a dangerous toxin.

At about three months old – Ella with her mother Fiona

"They don't care, that's why they do it.

"They know people will die, they just want to make money and they don't care about the damage they inflict and the pain and the suffering.

"I had not heard of it as a slimming aid. Give me the name and I can read the structure. I could go to school and make it tomorrow.

"It's very, very easy. A student with a decent grade in A-level chemistry could work out how to synthesise it."

Miss Parry said if she had known what her daughter was taking she would have tried everything to stop her – but insisted Ella would not have known the consequences of taking more tablets than was recommended.

A bright girl, Ella excelled academically at Condover CE Primary School, Church Stretton School and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College before moving onto Glyndwr University in Wrexham, where she was studying for a degree in families and childhood studies.

Mrs Parry said although there were times when her daughter had been bullied for having ginger hair when she was younger, she did not believe it had led to her seeking out diet pills several years later.

"I would have been desperate to stop her (taking the pills), I would have been trying everything in my power to dissuade her from taking them," she said.

"People make their own decisions at the end of the day. All you can do is give them the knowledge to make an informed decision.

Two years old – little Ella in a field of flowers

"It's foolish, but I think it's come from ignorance rather than risk-taking.

"They were a one-way trip. She wouldn't have taken the one-way trip if she had known it was a one-way trip.

"Most people think if they take one or two more pills than they should it will be okay, that it might make them a bit ill for a bit but it will be okay.

"If worst comes to worst they can go to hospital. I don't think for one minute she thought they would kill her.

"Nobody in her position takes tablets that she knows are going to result in her death."

Miss Parry said the last time she saw Ella alive on April 11 – a Saturday – when she dropped her other daughter off at Ella's home so the two sisters could go on a shopping trip to Chester.

"She was absolutely fine, full of life, bouncing around," Miss Parry said. "The girls were going shopping in Chester.

"They had a lovely day together, bought new clothes, the sort of things girls do together when they go shopping."

About 24 hours later, at about 3pm on the Sunday, she received a phone call from a nurse at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

She said: "They were that busy trying to save her they didn't have chance to phone me until after she had passed away.

"I got a phone call asking me to go to the hospital, which would have been shortly after 3pm.

Ella aged four – she was to go on to excel academically

"A nurse asked me if I was related to Ella and to go into hospital. She said it was important I go in but not urgent.

"I knew she was struggling and feeling unwell, so the first thing that goes through your head is that she has had another turn and felt unwell.

"She had been experiencing problems with her muscles deteriorating. The doctors were really puzzled as to the cause of it.

"With hindsight, the cause of the problems were these tablets."

Miss Parry walked into A&E and was quickly ushered into a private room where she was given the news every mother dreads.

"They said they believed it was diet pills that had caused her death.

"You don't think at that point, you go numb. It doesn't feel real. And you cry. It made sense with the symptoms we had seen earlier."

Tributes have continued to flood in for the popular 21-year-old.

A spokesman for Glyndwr University said: "Ella commenced the BA (Hons) families and childhood studies programme at Glyndwr University in September 2013.

"She was a motivated group member who contributed enthusiastically to all modules, always championing the promotion of positive well-being for children and young people.

"Ella was a popular student with staff, peers, across the university and within placement.

2001 – Ella at Condover CofE Primary School

"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. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends at this sad time."

Meanwhile, a pharmacist in Oswestry has issued a warning over the dangers of buying drugs online following Ella's tragic death.

Superintendent pharmacist John Gentle, of The Pharmacy @ Caxton, said the heartbreaking case highlighted the importance of getting professional advice before taking any medication.

He said: "This appears to be a tragic accident and it really does emphasise just how dangerous it can be to take drugs without a prescription.

"Many people don't realise that they can visit their local pharmacist for expert advice about medication – you don't need to wait for a doctor's appointment.

"Pharmacists can advise on the correct dose, and whether the medication is suitable, so it's really important to ask a professional before taking any drugs that you buy online."

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