The heartbroken parents of a teenager who died suddenly at university say he was 'the perfect son' whose death has ruined their lives.
Matthew O'Reilly, described by his mother as "very clean living" was found dead in his student accommodation in Eddie Colman Courts in Salford on September 25, 2020 after his worried parents raised the alarm that they had not heard from him for a few days.
An inquest heard how Nick Saunders, a manager at the accommodation, found Matthew on the floor between his bed and desk and administered CPR while waiting for emergency services but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He had ingested a poisonous substance, which the MEN is choosing not to name, purchased online a few weeks previously, before moving to Salford to start his degree.
READ MORE:
The 18-year-old, from Berryhill, had secured a place studying English Literature at Salford University after achieving excellent GCSE and A-Level grades.
The court heard how a toxicologist report showed he had ingested a poison. Senior Coroner at Bolton Coroners Officer, Timothy Brennand, described how a number of similar cases were all adjourned to allow police time to conduct enquiries.
Detective Inspector Andrew Wright identified a website informing readers how to obtain a suicide kit containing a poison, which can be used legitimately for industry means, which led him to ways the substance was obtained on line.
The court heard how an organisation in Sussex gave GMP 200 names of people who had purchased the substance from them and it transpired 47 people have since taken their own life. A number of others admitted purchasing the poisonous substance to end their lives, but there had been an intervention, some had purchased it for legitimate means. Matthew's name was not on the list and the court heard how he sourced the poison has not been resolved.
Forensic Toxicologist Julie Evans said there had been a cluster of reported cases in 2020 and said: "Globally the number has been going up since 2019."
Mr Brennand said: "The company directors of the organisation were not aware of the nefarious use of the (poison) " and added they have now stopped selling the product.
The court heard how Matthew, a regular gym attendee, who cared about his food and health was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2017. Mum Anne-Marie told the coroner she believed her son was suffering flare ups with his Crohn's disease but was not opening up about it.
She said "He was very body image conscious and thought he was not good enough. I think he was having a lot of flare ups but he would not admit it. He had an emotional wall up and he lost far too much weight doing all this exercise."
Giving evidence, close friend Daniel Poppinger, who met Matthew in 2013 and was at the same sixth form before also going to Salford University, said Matthew was the 'stand out' friend in his friendship group when it came to taking care of his health and fitness. He said Matthew did not touch alcohol or drugs and took his health very seriously.
He said Matthew was a very keen runner, getting "fitter and fitter" and was preoccupied with his nutritional intake, preparing nutritional meals. He confirmed Matthew had no financial worries and was not being bullied.
He said: "He was a bit self conscious about his looks but nobody though he had a reason to be - everybody thought he was great." Daniel said Matthew "may have been slightly anxious but not to concern level."
Mr Brennand ruled out any third party and said he was satisfied in the balance of probabilities that Matthew had deliberately ingested the poison. However, Mr Brennand said he bore in mind there was no text message, no contact with his parents, no self harm and no suicidal ideology.
He said: "There is nothing that can indicate to me what his intentions were."
"He was from a close family and looked up to his older sister. He was blossoming in life and moving into a life of independence in what is an exciting time in a young persons life, but can also be daunting. He was looking forward to the events of the unfolding year."
Mr Brennand said "There is a sparsity of evidence and he had much more to live for than to die for. This is a tragic and extraordinarily sad case."
He returned a narrative conclusion saying: "I record Matthew died as a consequence of a deliberate act of recent self ingestion of an unknown quantity of (the substance) in circumstances in which his intention remains unclear."
His visibly distressed mother told the Manchester Evening News she: "Would never learn to live with his death" and said: "she cries every night." His father said: "He was a wonderful boy."
Mrs O'Reilly said his death, "Has ruined my life too," adding, "He was the perfect son."
READ NEXT:
Nine in 10 NHS dental practices are not accepting new adult patients
Homeowner who built blockade to stop drivers parking in road plans to install a LAKE
- 'I took Shane into my home and told friends he was the one. Months later I was living in hell'
- Did 'gang bosses' escape because cops were squabbling? The allegations rocking GMP
Mum's terror as little boy, 4, rushed to intensive care after catching chicken pox
