London Marathon death woman’s family call for tighter drug regulation

The family of a healthy woman who collapsed during the London Marathon has called for tighter regulation of health supplements after hearing that an “amphetamine-like” substance in one she used probably led to her death.

Claire Squires (30) collapsed a mile from the finish line on April 22 last year.

The hairdresser, from North Kilworth, Leicestershire, suffered cardiac failure and was dead within two hours, an inquest at Southwark Coroner’s Court heard.

She bought the supplement Jack3D online but did not realise it contained 1,3-dimethylamine (DMAA), which increases heart rate, the court heard.

Boyfriend Simon van Herrewege told the hearing Miss Squires put a scoop in her water bottle for a boost if she needed it during her charity run for the Samaritans.

Outside court he read a statement on behalf of the family.

“Claire would never ever have taken anything that would cause her harm, or even worse risk her life.

“She innocently took a supplement which at the time was entirely legal and widely available on the high street, and somewhat worryingly apparently used by so many others.”