Josie Porter, a dietitian based in east London, has spoken publicly about the death of her sister Jennifer 'Jenn' Porter, a nurse who died at age 33. Jenn served during the UK's coronavirus crisis and was dedicated to her career, but behind the scenes she battled cocaine addiction and mental health struggles for years. Josie now hopes that sharing her sister's story will help others recognize warning signs and reduce stigma around addiction.
Hidden Struggles Behind a Successful Career
Jenn, from Southsea, Portsmouth, began using cocaine after the death of her grandfather in May 2015. Josie described their grandfather as their 'main person' growing up, and his death hit Jenn hard. Around the same time, she met someone selling cocaine, giving her easy access to the drug. 'It was the perfect storm,' Josie said. 'She was grieving and she found something that helped her cope and made her feel better, even if only temporarily.'
Despite her worsening addiction, Jenn qualified as a nurse and worked in respiratory care, supporting patients throughout the Covid-19 pandemic while enduring punishing shifts and chronic staff shortages. 'She was incredibly dedicated to her work and would never go in when she had been on drugs,' Josie said. 'She worked nights, dealt with understaffing and carried a huge amount of responsibility. There is a lot of pressure in that work and I think the drugs become a cushion. She wasn't the sort of person people imagine when they think of someone struggling with addiction.'
Missed Warning Signs
The family did not initially recognize Jenn's behavior as addiction. Josie said, 'We'd go out as a group and she'd disappear for days at a time. It became a red flag, but we didn't think she was addicted – we just were thinking she must like a bender. I never thought my sister would be an addict.' Jenn made a serious suicide attempt in 2019 and received support from crisis teams and antidepressants, but continued to battle depression, grief, and addiction.
In June 2025, Jenn took her own life. The months prior had seemed positive: she was settling debts, making plans, and booking events. 'It genuinely looked like things were improving,' Josie said. 'She'd bought a new phone, had deliveries on the way and concerts booked. That's why it was such a shock – I just didn't expect it. Looking back now, there were things I missed.'
Letters Reveal Full Extent of Addiction
After Jenn's death, Josie found letters and diary entries that showed how paranoid and suicidal Jenn had become. 'I used to think of cocaine addiction as a physical thing, something you'd see in someone,' Josie said. 'I knew it affected you mentally but I didn't realise how much it could actually affect your brain. After Jenn died, we found letters and diary entries that showed how paranoid and suicidal she had become. It completely changed my understanding of what addiction can do to someone.'
Josie now believes that outward signs of improvement can mask deeper struggles. 'Sometimes when people seem better, that's actually when they need the most support,' she said. 'They convince themselves they're okay, their guard goes down, and then they relapse and the cycle starts again.'
Breaking Stereotypes and Encouraging Conversations
Jenn's inquest in June 2025 recorded a verdict of suicide. Her family – including her partner, mother, father, sister, auntie, uncle, half-sister, and eight friends – attended. Josie urges families to stay alert to shifts in behaviour, unexplained disappearances, money troubles, and deteriorating relationships, but stresses that addiction is not always straightforward to identify. 'Sometimes there are no signs at all,' she said. 'The important thing is creating space for people to talk without judgment. People struggling with addiction often feel shame, guilt and helplessness. They need support, not criticism.'
Josie hopes that sharing Jenn's story will help dismantle stereotypes and spark broader conversations about substance misuse and mental health. 'Jenn was an incredible nurse who spent her life helping other people,' she said. 'We've lost someone truly special. If talking about what happened helps even one family recognise the signs or encourages one person to ask for help, then it's worth telling her story. I would hate for someone to lose their Jenn.'
Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service every day of the year. Alternatively, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
