Mother of woman who fell to her death from St Paul's Cathedral gallery tells of heartbreak

'She picked the cathedral because she needed to fly into God’s arms,' says Isabela Dragescu

Lydia Smith
Friday 20 October 2017 13:31 BST
The 23-year-old Christian loved St Paul's and visited often, according to her family
The 23-year-old Christian loved St Paul's and visited often, according to her family

The mother of a "selfless and kind" young woman who fell to her death from the Whispering Gallery in St Paul’s Cathedral, has paid tribute to her daughter.

Lidia Dragescu "wanted to see how it was on the other side,” her mum Isabela told The Sun. “She thought everything about this world was messy. She picked the cathedral because she needed to fly into God’s arms.”

The 23-year-old student, from Romford, east London, had recently started a degree at the University of East London and had hoped to become a brain surgeon, Ms Dragescu added.

Her daughter would have become a doctor, she said.

“She was fascinated with the brain, that it was something as humans we should explore more because it is not explored enough," she said. “She was a deep thinker. She was with us but when she studied and read she was in this other world. Her own world.”

Police and paramedics arrived within minutes of Ms Dragescu’s fall last week in front of members of the public and staff. But she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious and City of London police will compile a report for the coroner in due course.

In a statement, the family described Ms Dragescu as “selfless and kind”.

“Our daughter and sister was the most beautiful person in the world. Her heart was pure and kind, a soul from another world," they said. “She was an outstanding student and a talented figure skater. Beautiful, intelligent and kind. She would always help me, not allowing me to do any difficult chores.

“Her love for us was beyond measure, she was selfless and kind. Everything that she had she shared with us, always putting us first. We love her and will always love her. For Lidia, the world has been a bad place to live in.”

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or visit them online at www.samaritans.org.

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