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A grief campaigner has been found dead on the same beach where her son, Ewan, passed away six years ago at the age of 18.
Charmaine Lyn George, 52, was discovered on Portreath beach on Cornwall’s north coast by a member of the public on October 5, a coroner has heard.
Emergency services, including Devon and Cornwall Police, Coastguard teams from Portreath and St Agnes, an RNLI lifeboat crew from St Agnes, and paramedics, all attended the scene.
Miss George was pronounced dead, and her body was recovered.
Ewan was discovered beneath the cliffs at the same spot on Portreath Lighthouse Hill in 2020.
Born in Islington, north London, Miss George worked as a travel agent but became widely recognised for her dedication to supporting bereaved families.
A year after Ewan’s death, she established a grief café and later collaborated with the Good Grief Trust, helping launch their pop-up café initiative across Cornwall and the country.
She ran fortnightly sessions at Amy’s Kitchen and Bar in Treviskey, Cornwall.
The Good Grief Trust issued a statement following Miss George’s death, writing on social media: “Charmaine had tragically experienced the death of her young son Ewan and was passionate to help others find vital support.
“In 2021, we were extremely proud to be invited to The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards where Charmaine won the Caroline Flack award, for starting our café.
“She helped to improve access to vital support services with the launch of our Good Grief pop-up cafes in Cornwall, and helped many others find a way forward with their life after losing someone they loved.
“We send her daughter Libby, and her family and friends, all our love and support at this incredibly difficult time.”
An inquest into Miss George’s death was opened at Cornwall Coroner’s Court in Truro on Thursday, October 22.
Assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Guy Davies said police attended the beach after a member of the public raised a welfare concern.
Officers faced limited access to the shoreline and requested assistance from HM Coastguard to reach the scene.
Mr Davies immediately adjourned proceedings, noting that investigations remained ongoing and that the medical cause of death had not yet been determined.
A full inquest is expected next year.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Ms George’s next of kin had been notified and stated that her death was not being treated as suspicious.
An inquest into Ewan’s death had previously returned an open verdict, with the coroner concluding that insufficient evidence existed to support a conclusion of suicide.
Anyone can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org, where more information can also be found on volunteering and fundraising for the charity.
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