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The 2018 death of a Hay River woman in British Columbia has been ruled accidental in a coroner's report.
Brittany Martel, 27, was discovered deceased on the side of a highway, about 60 km south of Merritt, B.C.
"I find that Ms. Brittany Marie Ruby Martel died in Merritt on July 20, 2018, of cardiac ischemia due to or as a consequence of methamphetamine and cocaine toxicity," wrote coroner Susan Stapleton in her April 21 report. "I classify this death as accidental and make no recommendations."
Cardiac ischemia refers to the reduction of blood flow to the heart, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen.
An autopsy found no evidence of traumatic injury.
According Stapleton's report, a motorist had exited his vehicle to stretch during a closure of Highway 5 and discovered a deceased female down a small embankment.
The female – later identified as Martel – was fully clothed, but barefoot.
The coroner's report noted that she was travelling from out of province with a friend to the lower mainland of B.C.
"Her friend reported that during the early morning hours of July 17, 2018, they stopped at Britton Creek Rest Stop to sleep," the report stated. "The friend fell asleep for approximately four hours. When she awoke, Ms. Martel was nowhere to be seen. The friend then continued on her journey to the lower mainland. Ms. Martel was not reported missing."
The friend travelling with Martel was not identified in the coroner's report.
Martel was seen by numerous witnesses driving on Highway 5 between July 17 and July 20, 2018, in the areas around the Britton Creek Rest Stop and where she was found on July 22, 2018.
"There were no reported sightings of Ms. Martel after July 20, 2018," Stapleton noted. "A review of Ms. Martel's cellphone indicated her last outgoing call was made the morning of July 17, 2018."
According to the coroner's report, an investigation of the scene where Martel was found did not reveal any illicit substances or drug paraphernalia.
Her shoes were found about 35 metres from where she was located. Her purse and cellphone were found at the Britton Creek Rest Stop.
The RCMP investigated the death and ruled out foul play.
In her report, Stapleton noted that collateral information indicated that Martel had a history of problems with illicit substance use.
"Her friend that she was travelling with indicated that on the drive through B.C., Ms. Martel appeared to be experiencing hallucinations, which she believed to be from withdrawal of substances," the coroner wrote. "Family indicated she had contemplated entering treatment in the past."