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'Tragic accident' as Alex, 22, dies in North Staffordshire home

Alex Stokes had taken too many party drugs

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Cheadle High Street

A young man was tragically found dead after overdosing on party drugs. Alex Stokes was discovered in bed by his fiance on the morning of November 1.

An inquest into the 22-year-olds death heard he had been taking MDMA with his partner Maggie and roommate Ben the night before. The trio had lived together at an apartment on Cheadle High Street for four months.

PC Victoria Wain helped with the investigation into Alexs death.

She told the court: At around 10.44am, there was a call to the ambulance service reporting that a male was lying unresponsive in his bed. Paramedics arrived at 10.55am and declared life extinct at 11.02am.

They then called police. The paramedics suspected it was a drug-related death because of his enlarged pupils and the drug paraphernalia around the apartment. Officers spoke to Maggie and Ben. They were both open about the fact they had all driven to Bristol the day before to purchase acid and MDMA.

Messages downloaded from Alexs phone indicated he had been planning to take drugs on the evening prior to his death. CCTV showed Alex and Ben returning home after work at around 10pm.

PC Wain continued: The three of them spent all evening in the living room listening to music and taking the drugs they had purchased the day before. Ben said he couldnt remember anything after 11pm. Maggie said Ben went to bed first. She and Alex then went to bed at around 3am.

Another friend, Matt, arrived at 9.13am to spend a few hours hanging out with Ben. Maggie then came into the living room and screamed at Matt to leave. It is presumed that she then told Ben about her concerns for Alexs health."

Ben called 999 and began performing CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Maggie left the address to fetch a defibrillator. She returned home as paramedics arrived.

A forensic investigation at the property found lots of drug paraphernalia. Scales, multiple grinders, and snap bags containing MDMA and cannabis were discovered.

PC Wain concluded: My thinking is that Alex had a history of using recreational drugs. He has gone with his friends to buy drugs and planned to take them. Unfortunately, he took more than he should have and died. I dont believe he intended to take his own life. It was just an awful, tragic accident.

Pathologist Terry Jones conducted a toxicology report following Alexs death. It revealed he had cocaine, cannabis, and a very, very high level of MDMA consistent with an overdose in his system.

Coroner Fiona Gingell recorded that Alex suffered a drug-related death.

She said: Im satisfied they were all using drugs and that there was no suspicious activity involved here. The medical evidence is very clear. This was a tragic accidental overdose of a young man who had the rest of his life to live. Im very sorry to all of his family for having to deal with this loss.

Alexs father added: He was a kind-hearted soul with a big heart who sadly didnt manage to get on top of his difficulties.

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