Newlyweds found dead after suspected drugs overdose in India: First pictures released

THESE are the first pictures to emerge of a young British couple who died in India after a suspected drugs overdose.

James and Alexandra GaskellJames and Alexandra Gaskell, pictured at their graduation, married in November last year [MERCURY]

James and Alexandra Gaskell were found by staff at the Maya Hotel in the city of Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, yesterday morning.

Indian police are treating their deaths as a suspected drugs overdose after empty bottles and packets of pills were found near their bodies.

James, 28, a former Manchester Metropolitan University student originally from Kent, had referred to the availability of drugs in the country on Twitter.

His final tweet read: 'Codeine under the counter here. With Valium, Xanax and Lyrica. Winning.' 

The newlyweds had reportedly checked into the hotel on Monday. 

James and Alexandra GaskellThe couple had been travelling in India since the summer [IAN LEONARD]

James and Alexandra GaskellThe couple are believed to have lived in Birmingham [MERCURY]

Staff found their bodies after becoming concerned when the couple did not appear for check-out the next day to carry on with their journey.

Hotel manager Ibrahim Zaidi said: "Around 6.45pm, they ordered dinner. When the waiter went with the food, the couple did not let him in, but took the food at the door. 

"They were supposed to check out the next morning and travel to Lucknow. They did not emerge by 10am, which is our check-out time. 

"A room boy knocked on their door at 11am. He got no response, but found the door had not been bolted. He went inside. Seeing the bodies, he raised an alarm. 

"We informed the tourist police and the local intelligence unit." 

Alexandra, 24, a photography student originally from Marple, Cheshire, had studied at Stockport College before later enrolling at Liverpool John Moores University.

 [IG]

 [IG]

The couple, who lived in Birmingham, married last year and had been travelling in India since July.

Agra police inspector general Sunil Kumar Gupta said: "The cause of death will be known once the post-mortem report is available.

"The sleeping pills and other tablets in the room point to drug overdose." 

Police spokesman Shalabh Mathur said: "From the prescription, it appears that the woman had some sort of headache.

"A lot of antidepressants, pain killers and other medicines were found in the room." 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office last night said they were offering the families consular support.

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