An inquest jury concluded that Jason Stevens, 53, died of the effects of drugs exacerbated by coronary artery disease, after a post mortem examination found a 'cocktail of drugs' in his system.

A Kirkham Prison inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell died of the effects of drugs exacerbated by coronary artery disease a contributing factor, an inquest jury has decided.

Jason Stevens, 53, was discovered when the cell was opened at 8am on October 20, 2024 after he was last seen when it was locked up around 6.30 the previous evening.

Paramedics were called to the scene and they followed a health care assistant in attempting resuscitation but without success and Stevens was declared dead at 8.39am, the inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard.

placeholder image — Kirkham Prison | submit

The conclusion in the four-day hearing was decided by a jury - as is standard for deaths in prisons. They were told that a post mortem examination by consultant pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd found evidence of cardio vascular disease as well as various substances in Stevens’ system.

The substances included raised levels of methadone and the anti-depressant medication sertraline and a toxicology test carried out in conjunction with the post mortem found other substances present including low levels of ketamine and spice as well as caffeine and nicotine.

They added up to what Dr Shepherd described in his report as a ‘cocktail of drugs’, with the pathologist adding that Stevens’ cardiovascular disease making him more susceptible to their effects.

The inquest, presided over by Blackpool and Fylde assistant coroner Andrew Cousins, heard that Stevens had arrived at Kirkham Prison on October 15, 2024, transferred from HMP Berwyn in North Wales.

The inquest was held at Blackpool Town Hall | submit

He was interviewed on arrival and had shown no tendency towards self-harm. He was on prescribed methadone and was judged safe to have medication in his possession.

Stevens was said by prison officers to have been “in high spirits with no issues” the evening before his death and police confirmed there was no evidence of third party involvement in his death.

The jury of eight women and three men took just over an hour to come to a conclusion of drug-related death exacerbated by coronary artery disease. Mr Cousins offered his condolences to Stevens’ family, who had decided not to attend the inquest.

Stevens’ death will be probed by the Prisons and Probation Service Ombudsman, who lists the investigation status as pending inquest outcome.