Abigail Garside Inquest: New Details on the 2025 Anniversary Tragedy

What started with champagne toasts in a hot tub ended in an unimaginable loss just hours later. New evidence from the Abigail Garside inquest has shed light on the final moments of the 30-year-old champion rider who took her own life during her first wedding anniversary getaway.

Abigail Garside Inquest: Reconstructing the 2025 Tragedy

On August 18, 2025, Abigail and her husband, Samuel Garside, were celebrating a year of marriage in Harrogate. The day began with breakfast at a tea room and a relaxing spa session. However, as evening fell, the celebration took a dark turn. The couple engaged in 'bar hopping,' consuming a volatile mix of vodka, tequila, and illegal stimulants.

The court heard that a disagreement erupted at a venue called Mojo’s after Abigail felt her husband didn't support her during an interaction at the bar. The argument followed them back to their hotel. In a moment of distress, Abigail 'stormed out' of the room, leaving behind her phone. She didn't return that night.

Substances and Impaired Judgment

A member of the public discovered Abigail's body at 6:20 am the following morning. This was only 9 hours after she'd shared happy photos online. Toxicology reports later confirmed the presence of alcohol and cocaine in her system.

Assistant coroner Sarah Middleton noted that Abigail had no history of mental health issues and was a 'girl who loved life.' She was a 2019 Horse of the Year champion in dressage and was planning a new chapter in Australia. The coroner concluded that the combination of substances likely caused her to act completely out of character.