A MUM who claims her son was "left to die" after being supplied with a prescription drug said she is hopeful the truth was finally emerging.
Ashley Kelly was found dead at his Exeter home in August at the age of just 22. It was initially treated as a murder investigation but police quickly ruled out anything suspicious.
However, it has now emerged that officers have arrested a person for supplying the fatal drug to Ashley. They are on bail until December. It is understood police are awaiting the results of phone records before deciding what, if any, charges to bring.
His mother Suzanne Riddock claimed her son had never been an addict but had been given a drug known as methadone by a dealer in the early hours of the morning. Methadone is an opioid often used as a heroin substitute.
Ms Riddock also claims that the woman who gave him the drugs left him despite "knowing all the dangers supplying to someone with no experience of the drug,"
She said: "All I wanted was the truth and I knew Ashley's death was suspicious straight away. The truth is finally emerging,
"Ashley had only just turned 22 and was a very healthy young man. Whoever gave him the drug would have known all the dangers relating to someone with no experience this drug taking it.
"Ashley wasn't any kind of addict so this is why we believe it killed him.
The family also believe that the person who gave Ashley the drug left him after he had taken the drug. They are hopeful that this may see more serious charges being brought.
"I now have faith in the police that they are taking this case very seriously," added Ms Riddock.
Ashley was a former pupil at Whipton First School and St James School in Exeter. He had four brothers and little sister on the way.
Ms Riddock added: "I last spoke to my gorgeous son at 9.20pm on Wednesday, August 6 and he was in good spirits. To say this is a shock to us all is an understatement and no child should go before their parents.
"We all loved Ashley. He was such a free spirit and was the apple of my eye."
A police spokesman confirmed that a 30-year-old woman from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Methadone, a Class A drug. She has been bailed until Wednesday, December 3.
