Reading coroner: Thatcham man took own life with massive drugs cocktail

A MAN who felt he had “nothing to live for” was found dead from a massive drugs overdose.

David Mark Murphy, known as ‘Murph’ to pals, was found by a friend, as if peacefully asleep, in the first floor bedroom of his home in Chapel Street, Thatcham.

An inquest into his death held in Reading Town Hall on Thursday, June 8, heard that the 55-year-old suffered from a range of health problems including osteoarthritis, a broken clavicle and memory problems.

A friend, Corey Braybrooke, said in a statement that he had gone to visit him on October 11 last year and let himself in the back door.

He said he had shouted ‘Murph’ several times but received no reply.

Mr Braybrooke added that he had gone upstairs and found Mr Murphy lying on his side, his head on his hand, as if asleep.

However, he said, Mr Murphy was cold to the touch and unresponsive.

Mr Brabybrooke called emergtency services and PC Rachel Pullen told the inquest in a statement that Mr Murphy was obviously beyond help and no resuscitation was attempted.

A mental health practicioner said Mr Murphy had expressed suicidal ideation and felt he had “nothing to live for” but was reluctant to engage with the services on offer.

She said he had told her: “I haven’t got any reason for living.

“What am I here for?

“I do think of taking a drugs overdose [but] I wouldn’t do it until the time is right, and that isn’t now.”

However he was discharged from treatment because of his refusal to engage, the inquest heard.

A toxicology report revealed Mr Murphy had taken massive overdoses of several prescription drugs.

There was also evidence of a recent, “very high” dose of ketamine, obviously purchased illegally, the inquest was told.

Assistant Berkshire coroner Ian Wade KC said the amount of each drug in Mr Murphy’s system was staggering.

He said the amount of any one of the prescription drugs alone could have been fatal and that, in combination, they were even more lethal and had led to respiratory failure.

An undiagnosed, underlying heart disease could also have played a part in Mr Murphy’s death, he added.

Mr Wade acknowledged that Mr Murphy’s friends and family did not believe he had meant to take his own life.

Nevertheless, he added: “Mr Murphy was a mature adult; I believe I’m entitled to assume he would have known the likely effects [of his actions].

“The doses taken were huge.”

That fact, coupled with Mr Murphy’s clear and “expressed propensity to end his life” led him to conclude that Mr Murphy had chosen to do so.

He reached a conclusion of suicide.

You can find more help and advice from the following organisations:

Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999

The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org