Lecturer Suspended After Death of Acton Teenager

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Institute of London suspends Brian Dodgeon with full pay

A lecturer at the University of London has been suspended after Acton teenager Isobel Reilly died at a party at his home.

Isobel, 15, fell ill during a party at Brian Dodgeon's home in Barlby Road, north Kensington, west London, in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr Dodgeon was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and child abandonment and later bailed.

The 60-year-old lecturer at the university's Institute of Education has been suspended on full pay.

The academic, whose research subjects have included health inequalities and alcohol consumption patterns, was bailed until June.

A statement issued by the institute on Monday said it was deeply sorry to hear of the teenager's death and extended its sympathy to her family and friends.

Detectives are understood to be investigating whether Isobel died after taking drugs.

An ambulance was called to the house at about 0400 BST and she was taken to hospital but died later that morning.

A 14-year-old girl and two 14-year-old boys were also taken to hospital for observation but they are now thought to be out of danger.

On Monday scores of family and friends held a vigil and laid flowers at a green in Chiswick, west London, in Isobel's memory.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on Wednesday.

 

26 April 2011