Matthew Salt, 31, was found dead just hours after being informed he would have to leave the House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) where he was staying in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, an inquest has heard. Concerned neighbours discovered him unresponsive in a chair at an address on King William Street on March 18 this year. Emergency crews were called, and Matthew was pronounced dead shortly after.
Eviction notice and final hours
Carol Reed, a support worker at the Ark Housing Trust, oversaw Matthew’s accommodation placement and saw him in the days before his death. She told the court that Matthew had been 'misusing drugs throughout his adult life' and was a known user of spice and monkey dust. His tenancy conditions prohibited drug use, but cameras and neighbour reports revealed he had begun taking monkey dust again.
On March 17, staff attended the property at around 11.30am to inform him he would have to leave. Ms Reed said: “I could see he was under the influence during our conversation. We signposted him to support services before leaving.” The following day at around 2pm, a neighbour called concerned that Matthew had not moved from his chair since they had been out for the day. Ms Reed called 999 and went to the property, where paramedics told her Matthew had died.
Drug toxicity ruled as cause of death
Police arrived at around 3pm and found Matthew sat upright on a two-seater sofa. Paramedics had declared life extinct at 2.39pm, determining he had already been dead 'for some time'. CCTV analysis showed nobody else had entered the property, and searches found drug paraphernalia and snap bags containing monkey dust and spice. Third-party involvement was ruled out.
Pathologist Dr Terry Jones told the court that Matthew died from drug toxicity. Tests showed he had taken monkey dust and spice 'recently' before his death. Although the exact amounts could not be determined, it was concluded they were responsible. Both substances increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Dr Jones said: “The potential for serious side effects is greater when you take them both together. They exacerbate each other. On the balance of probabilities, I would say he has suffered a sudden cardiac event.”
Tributes to a 'kind-hearted' man
Coroner Li Hammer-Naylor concluded that Matthew suffered a drug-related death, accepting monkey dust and spice were to blame. She said: “I wish to thank everyone for coming today. And I wish to pass on my sincere condolences for your loss. It is clear he meant a great deal to you.”
Matthew was described as a 'good person' by loved ones, who said his life had been 'tragically stolen' by drugs. Friend and employer Chris Thomas said: “This is an awful waste of life. Matthew was a kind-hearted person and a good lad. He was talented too. He asked if he could paint an owl off the wall. I laughed and gave him a biro. He showed me half an hour later. It was like a photocopy.”
Ms Reed added: “Matt was a really nice person. He was worried about becoming homeless and did not want to go through that again. He found it difficult to fight through his addiction and get clean because of his mental health. He did not like taking drugs but often found himself reverting back to them.” Mr Thomas concluded: “He was hounded by his demons and just couldn’t beat those addictions. It’s a real shame.”
