A coroner is investigating after a 16-year-old girl was found dead at a Slough care home, from what was thought to be “asphyxiation”.

Tiffany Turvey died on December 3 last year and an opening of an inquest into her death held in June revealed the cause of her death was “unascertained”.

The Berkshire coroner Heidi Connor has since been informed that the death may have been due to asphyxiation. 

A toxicologist was still due to provide a report into whether Tiffany had consumed any substances before her death. 

At a pre-inquest review hearing on Friday, the inquest heard that support workers from Mitus Care had been working at the care facility where Tiffany died.

Antony Bartholomeusz, a barrister representing Mitus, told the coroner that one of the carers may need to appear at the final inquest as an interested person in his own right, not under the umbrella of the company.

Mr Bartholomeusz said: “Mitus have given him a final written warning in relation to the fact he was on his mobile telephone shortly before the death, in contravention of Mitus care policies.”

The company was due to inform the coroner within 14 days whether that carer would need to be added as an interested person.

At the hearing in Reading Coroner’s Court, there were also representatives rom Kent County Council and the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. It was revealed that Tiffany had been receiving treatment for mental health in the months before her death.

Tiffany’s aunt Julie Turvey and mother Kim Prince appeared at the pre-inquest review representing the teenager’s family.

The coroner revealed Tiffany had been on the phone to one of her relatives shortly before she was found dead.

Mrs Connor said there was then a three hour period before an alarm was pulled and carers discovered Tiffany in bed.

A GoFundMe page set up by a woman called Kirsty Pegg had raised £770 for Tiffany’s funeral costs.

Ms Pegg wrote: “I have decided to start a GoFundMe to support my brother and niece after tragically losing my nephew Thomas, who also liked to be known Tiff.

“For anyone who knew Tiff, knew that despite her own struggles she brought alot of love, happiness and beauty to this world.

“I have primarily started this GoFundMe to give Tiff the send off she would of loved and totally deserve.

“Any extra funds raised will be donated to a youth mental health charity. RIP Tiff. Forever 16.” ️