An inquest has been opened into the death of Bradley Passey, a 21-year-old from Halesowen who was found dead in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following his attendance at TwitchCon. The hearing was conducted at Black Country Coroner's Court, where Area Coroner Joanne Lees confirmed that a post-mortem had been undertaken after Mr Passey's body was returned to the UK.
"Following the repatriation of Mr Passey into the UK, a post-mortem has taken place and a provisional medical cause of death has been established as drowning," Ms Lees said.
Mr Passey, who was born in Stourbridge, died on June 4, 2026, at Maasboulevard in Rotterdam. He was just weeks before his next birthday. According to the coroner, the full inquest cannot be scheduled until the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has completed consultations with Dutch authorities.
Timeline and family contact
Mr Passey had been attending TwitchCon, an annual gathering for the video livestreaming platform Twitch. His family last communicated with him on the evening of Saturday, May 31. He was scheduled to fly to Manchester Airport on June 1, but did not board the flight. His body was later discovered in Rotterdam.
The police in the Netherlands are investigating the circumstances of his death. The coroner's office in the West Midlands will work alongside them to gather all necessary evidence. The provisional cause of death is drowning, but this could be revised following further toxicological tests or additional forensic analysis.
The Black Country Coroner's Court deals with deaths within its jurisdiction and also with cases where local residents die overseas. It coordinates with the FCO to secure evidence from foreign police and medical officials. In deaths like this one, the process is complex and often lengthy.
Understanding TwitchCon
TwitchCon is the official convention series of Twitch, a leading live streaming platform owned by Amazon. Since its first event in 2015, it has grown significantly, with venues in North America and Europe. The convention typically includes keynote presentations, development panels, and opportunities for fans to meet popular streamers. It also serves as a hub for announcements about platform updates and community initiatives.
The 2026 event in Rotterdam drew attendees from around the world. For many young people, it is an exciting chance to connect with the online communities they follow. However, travelling abroad for such events also presents risks, especially for those unfamiliar with the host city.
Maasboulevard, where Mr Passey's body was found, is a prominent location in Rotterdam along the river Maas. The area sees significant foot traffic, especially during large events, but the exact circumstances of his death have not yet been disclosed.
How inquests handle deaths abroad
In England and Wales, an inquest is a legal inquiry into a death that is sudden, violent, or unexplained. When a British citizen dies overseas, the body may be repatriated to the UK, and a coroner will then determine the medical cause of death through a post-mortem. This is followed by a full inquest, which hears evidence from witnesses and experts to establish the factual circumstances.
The process can be prolonged when the death occurs in another country. The FCO acts as an intermediary, obtaining reports from local law enforcement, autopsy results, and any other relevant documentation. Only after this material is received can the coroner set a date for the full hearing.
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 governs the work of coroners in England and Wales. Under this legislation, the coroner is required to investigate deaths that are violent or unnatural, or where the cause of death is unknown. This provides the legal basis for hearing this case.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides guidance to families during this period, explaining the procedures and timelines. Consular staff can also help with practical matters such as registering the death and arranging funeral plans.
In Mr Passey's case, the coroner explicitly stated that the date cannot yet be fixed. The collaborative investigation between the UK and the Netherlands is essential to ensure that all facts are considered.
Impact and next steps
The death of a young man abroad is always a devastating event for the family and friends left behind. In this case, the family is being assisted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which provides support to British nationals and their relatives during overseas incidents.
The full inquest will be held once the necessary international cooperation is complete. At that hearing, evidence will be reviewed to establish the exact sequence of events leading to Mr Passey's death. Until then, the provisional cause of death remains drowning. The investigation continues, and no further details are expected until the full inquest is held. Any findings from the inquest may also be used to inform public safety measures.
