Inmate death at super-prison ‘linked to drug Spice’ – inquest

A PRISONER who died after being found collapsed in his cell may have taken the drug Spice, it was revealed at the opening of an inquest.

Luke Morris Jones, 22, was rushed to the Maelor Hospital after being found unresponsive at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham. He was taken to hospital on March 31, but despite efforts to save him he died about an hour later.

A brief hearing was held by in Ruthin by assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central David Pajur.

He said that following a post-mortem examination at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers had given the provisional cause of death as a “cardiac event” which was likely to have been linked to his use of the drug Spice.

Further toxicology and histology tests are to be carried out and Mr Pajur said there would be an investigation by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman so he would not fix a final date for a full inquest until the investigation had been completed.

It is likely that a pre-inquest hearing will be held before the full hearing.

The funeral of Mr Jones, of Peny gwndun, Manod, Blaenau Ffestiniog, will take place On April 13.

At the time of his death, a police statement said: “North Wales Police can confirm that following a report from HMP Berwyn on 31st March 2018 they are investigating the death of a 22 year old man from the North Wales area.

“He had been detained at the establishment. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Police are working closely with HMP Berwyn to establish the circumstances on behalf of the Coroner.”