Girl, 17, who idolised drugs star Doherty dies from overdose

Published on Thursday 28 August 2008 22:05

A TEENAGE girl who idolised Pete Doherty, the rock star heroin-addict , has been found dead at her home after a drugs overdose.

The body of Terri McHendry, 17, was discovered by a member of her family in Dundee last Sunday.

Stunned friends have paid tribute to Terri on her Bebo website profile, which features scores of photographs of Doherty with his band, Babyshambles, along with song lyrics by the controversial singer.

She had also set up a slide show featuring Doherty and pasted several video clips of Babyshambles performing.

While the circumstances of her death are not known, the news has triggered fresh criticism of the glamorising of drugs by teenage idols such as Doherty and his former girlfriend Kate Moss.

Dr Jane Jay, the chairman of the National Forum on Drug- Related Deaths, said: "I think it is worrying. It's a pity more young people don't follow sporting heroes like Chris Hoy instead of these sorts of people.

"I think there is a link between the glamorous lifestyle rock stars lead and the behaviour of young people who look up to them. That said, there is no proof that young people are taking drugs because celebrities are doing it. But I don't think it helps."

Last night, the teenager's mother Linda was too upset to discuss her daughter's death while a family friend described it as "devastating". A Tayside Police spokesman said: "

Inquiries into the full set of circumstances are continuing and a report has been submitted to the procurator-fiscal.

"The deceased's family has requested that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Terri's father, Stewart, died some time ago; she is survived by her mother Linda and siblings Graham, Nicky and Kaysha.

Her funeral will take place on 1 September.

The family friend said: "Terri was a bubbly girl who was full of life and this has been absolutely devastating for her mum.

"I know she was really into Pete Doherty and his music. She just thought he was really cool, like teenagers do, I suppose. It's just tragic when someone so young is taken away. She had a lot of friends and I know they must be so upset."

Terri wrote about herself on her social networking site: "Nothing lasts forever … so live it up, drink it down, laugh it off. Take chances and never have regrets because at one point everything you did was exactly what you wanted."

Several of her friends have already posted messages on the site after hearing of her death.

Official figures released earlier this month showed that drug-related deaths in Dundee had gone up by nearly 50 per cent in the past year.

There were a total of 23 drug deaths during 2007, compared to a figure of 16 for 2006, with heroin being responsible for around half of those.