Caroline Flack was determined to prove her innocence after being charged with assault, a friend of the tragic star is quoted as having said.
Fans of Caroline were left shocked and devastated on Saturday when it was revealed she had been found dead at her home after taking her own life at the age of 40.
The news of her death came just weeks before she was due to be in court over allegations of assault following an alleged bust up at her home involving 27-year-old boyfriend Lewis Burton in December.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided to press ahead with the trial despite Lewis publicly declaring Caroline’s innocence.
Friends of the star have reportedly said her death was all the more shocking as she had seemed determined to clear her own name – with the trial due to start on 4 March.
(Image: WireImage)
“This is the most dreadful and shocking news – and has come as a bolt from the blue for everyone,” a source told The Sun.
“Caroline has been very low but absolutely no one saw this coming or had any inkling she felt this way,” the source continued.
“Caroline was determined to prove her innocence and seemed to be looking forward to being able to do that in court. She insisted she was innocent, she was determined to prove she was innocent – and Lewis never supported her prosecution,” they added.
(Image: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED)
A member of Caroline’s management team issued a statement on Saturday after her shock death had been revealed to slam the CPS for pursing, what they called, a “show trial”.
“In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported,” a member of Money Talent Management stated.
“The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events,” they continued.
(Image: Caroline Flack/Instagram)
“The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline,” they said.
“Our thoughts are with Caroline’s family at this time,” they added.
A lawyer for Caroline confirmed on Saturday that the TV star had taken her own life.
A spokesperson for the Flack family said: “We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.”
They added: “We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.”
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