Edward John Youde Barnard · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 22/1/2024 an investigation commenced into the death of Edward John Youde Barnard born 23/3/1994 and died on 9/1/2024

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 November 2024.
The medical cause of death was:

1(a) Fatal ████████ overdose

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My Conclusion as to the death, section 4 Record of Inquest, was “Suicide”

On the 8/1/2024 Edward checked into a hotel and on the following morning he was found deceased in his room by a staff member. The ambulance and police services attended, and it was determined that there were no suspicious circumstances. A note was found in the room from Edward to the hotel staff, which stated:

“Please call 999 and report as suicide. I’m sorry I ruined your day.”

A postmortem examination and toxicological analysis concluded that the death was caused by a “Fatal ████████ overdose”.

Edward had a history of anxiety and depression and had attended Cognitive Behaviour Therapy counselling in 2018 he also had a heart defect which was operated in 2021 which had a detrimental effect on his mental well-being.

I concluded that he took the ████████, with the clear intention of ending his life, after he checked into the hotel room.

The toxicology report recorded a ████████ blood level of ███ ug/ml and noted the fatal level was ███ ug/ml.

The toxicology report went on to state that ████████ was a short acting barbiturate used in the UK only as an anaesthetic agent in Veterinary Medicine.

On completion of the inquest, I was concerned that Edward, a vulnerable young adult, managed to come into possession of ████████ a substance which I understand from the Toxicology report, is only licensed for use on animals by qualified veterinary professionals. I infer from the Toxicology evidence and the fact that Edward was not a veterinary professional that he must have obtained the substance from an illicit source. I am concerned that if I do not make a report a potential emerging risk to life may slip past public attention unnoticed.

I therefore make this report to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, whom I understand is the organisation responsible for licensing ████████ so that the Directorate is aware that the drug has been used for a suicidal purpose and to enable the organisation to examine any available preventive measures to reduce the risk of this suicide method occurring in future.

I am also reporting this fatal incident to the Royal Society of Veterinary Surgeons to share the information with its members and to ensure that those to whom the drug is licensed are made fully aware of its potential to be used in the completion of suicide by humans. I also make the report to the Royal Society to take any available preventive measures to reduce the risk of this suicide method in future.