Investigation and inquest
On 18 October 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Marc Daniel DAVIES aged 45. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10 October 2025.
The conclusion of the inquest was recorded as:
Drug Related death
The medical cause of death was:
1a) The combined toxic effects of methadone, clonazepam and nitrazepam
The conclusion of the inquest was that: Marc Daniel Davies died at the Huntsman Hotel in Shirenewton, Chepstow on 16/10/2024 from the toxic effects of prescribed and unprescribed drugs.
Circumstances of the death
Marc Daniel Davies resided at the Huntsman Hotel in Monmouthshire. The accommodation, for people who are vulnerable and homeless, was provided by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC).
On 16/10/2024, the safe guards on duty were alerted to concerns raised by friends of Marc, that he was unwell. On checking Marc, the guards noted he was not conscious but thought he was sleeping and put him in the recovery position. They did not conduct routine welfare checks thereafter, did not record the findings of their checks and did not seek medical assistance.
Marc was later discovered moribund by another resident. The safeguards performed CPR and called the emergency services. Marc could not be revived and died on 16/10/2024 at the Huntsman Hotel.
Coroner’s concerns
MCC contracted with MJ Events to provide safe guards; officers to ensure the security of the premises and the welfare of the residents. The officers were expected to undertake welfare checks if they had concerns about residents, including if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Managers from MCC and MJ Events who gave evidence to the inquest both agreed the welfare checks undertaken by the guards on duty on 16/10/2024, and documentation completed, were inadequate.
There was no evidence that the staff had received training on how to conduct welfare checks or what should be documented.
A failure to check on the welfare of staff and to reliably pass that information on to others could again result in a resident not receiving medical care in a timely manner.
Kindly advise me as to the training that you intend to provide to staff to ensure that they are properly equipped with the skills to discharge their duties at work.