The cause of a teenager's death, who was throwing up black vomit hours before she died, remains a mystery, an inquest has heard.

Jodie Bessant, 18, was found unresponsive in her room by her father at their Sissinghurst home, near Maidstone, on December 4.

Mark Bessant battled to save his daughter after she collapsed, putting her into the recovery position and attempting CPR before paramedics arrived.

However, the aspiring tattoo artist died less than an hour later.

An inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard how the former MidKent college student's death is still unexplained, as there is no definitive evidence pointing to one outcome.

The coroner was told Ms Bessant, of Cleavers, had been with her best friend the night before in Maidstone and ordered from takeaway chain Mexigo.

Detective Sergeant Madeleine Bush said laxatives and a crate of Monster energy drink were found in the charity volunteer's bedroom.

Pathologist Dr Deirdre McKenna suggested the spicy food, mixed with Ms Bessant's sensitive stomach from laxatives and energy drinks, may have caused a "metabolic inbalance" and "cardiovascular event".

However, she made clear there was no definitive evidence to conclude this and told coroner Roger Hatch her cause of death for Ms Bessant was unascertained.

She said: "Dieting and taking laxatives along with drinking energy drinks can cause a metabolic inbalance.

"Dieting can cause highs and lows in levels of glucose, while taking laxatives can lead to a significant loss of fluids.

"The meal may have exacerbated her sensitive stomach, but there's no evidence of an electrolyte inbalance."

'Jodie had a heart of gold and would help anyone...'

DS Bush told the inquest how Jodie's dad had gone into the front room of his bungalow to find his daughter, with wife Angela Bessant, covered in a "pool of vomit and blood".

Ms Bessant looked "pale" and continued vomiting until around 4am. She eventually stopped at around 8am but looked "pale and tired".

Her parents kept checking on her but at 3pm the pair heard a crash from upstairs.

When Mr Bessant went up there he found his daughter on the floor and gasping for air and "black coloured vomit" on the floor.

He attempted to save her life but when paramedics arrived she was declared dead at 3.55pm.

Ms Bessant's parents said their daughter did not have a problem with taking laxatives or drinking Monster energy drinks, explaining she had been taking the healthier option of smoothies.

Her heartbroken mum, Angela, said the whole ordeal had been a nightmare and the family were left with more questions after the inquest.

Speaking about the former High Weald pupil, she said: "Jodie had a heart of gold and would help anyone.

"She was the best daughter anyone could ask for. She was always happy and bubbly.

"Jodie would do anything for anybody, whether it be helping pay for her sister's cat operation or helping a friend out with money."

'This is a sad case as there is no definitive evidence to show how her death came about...'

Mr Bessant added: "She was a typical 18-year-old and loved her music and art.

"She got her music taste from me I think and loved heavy metal – her favourites were Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains."

Mr Bessant and the family had concerns their daughter may have suffered from food poisoning after her friend also complained of stomach problems the night before.

But Dr McKenna ruled this out, saying there were no signs of "aspiration pneumonitis" or tears to the lung, which often come about with heavy vomiting.

Coroner Roger Hatch came to an "open conclusion". He addressed Ms Bessant's family, which included her sisters and brother-in-law, saying: "This is a sad case as there is no definitive evidence to show how her death came about."

Mexigo Maidstone was approached for comment.