THE daughter of Holby City actor John Michie apparently took an “illegal substance” before her death at Bestival, her family has said.
Louella Eve Fletcher-Michie, 25, was found dead in a wooded area on the edge of the festival site at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, on Monday.
Dorset Police arrested musician Ceon Broughton, 28, who was known to Fletcher-Michie, on suspicion of her murder and supplying a class A drug.
Broughton, from London, was released under investigation on Tuesday after a post-mortem examination showed no clear signs of assault.
In a statement released through Michie’s agent, the family said: “Our hearts are broken by this horrific tragedy.
“We do not believe there to have been any malice intended in Louella and Ceon’s weekend at Bestival.
“They appear to have taken an illegal substance but we would appreciate cautious and sensitive reporting until the facts are known.
“Louella inspired all who knew her with her joy of life.
“The family would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt tributes and messages.”
Police said further tests, including a toxicology report, will take place over coming weeks to establish if there were any substances in Fletcher-Michie’s system or other suspicious circumstances. Ex-Coronation Street actor Michie, 60, and his wife Carol — a former Hot Gossip singer — have two other children, Daisy and Sam.
A spokeswoman for Bestival said the festival has a zero tolerance drugs policy, which was made clear to fans and staff.
She said the festival works closely with its security contractor and Dorset Police to deliver a safe event.
“It is important that we do not speculate while the matter remains under investigation.
“As we await the outcome of that process it is important to note that reported crime at this year’s event is currently over 50 per cent lower than previous events,” she added.
Festival-goers entering the event are subject to searches by trained security staff and there are specialist passive drugs dogs that operate at all entrances.
They are given the opportunity to dispose of any contraband, including illegal drugs, into sealed amnesty bins before being searched.
Anyone who fails a search or refuses to be searched is refused entry, while those found to have quantities of illegal drugs for supplying are detained and handed over to police.
“Bestival is viewed as a low-crime event within the wider industry that attracts a fun, creative and respectful audience,” the spokeswoman said.
“The tragic incident, which took place in what police describe as a ‘wooded area on the edge of the festival site’, and not as some reports have indicated in the ‘Ambient Forest’ arena, has devastated all those involved and the event has offered counselling to all staff.”
Chief Inspector Chris Weeks, Dorset Police’s silver commander for Bestival, said the force and festival had worked closely together in the run-up to the event.
He said: “Event security used a number of tactics to identify drug use, including sniffer dogs at entrance points. Police officers were also proactively patrolling the site throughout the whole event. A total of 88 crimes were reported to Dorset Police with 36 arrests made, 27 of which were drug-related.”
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