Dad found dead with pregnant woman and her partner after taking cocktail of drugs

A dad-of-two and a pair have been discovered useless after taking a cocktail of medication, an inquest heard.

Andrew Smith was found within the bed room of a home in Oldham on December 28 final yr.

Zoe Hamilton, 28, and James Acton, 41, have been additionally discovered deceased close by, Manchester Night Information experiences.

The tragic deaths have been reported to police after a frightened member of the family arrived on the flat to test on them.

Mr Smith, 39, was battling drug dependancy and homeless on the time of his passing.

His psychological well being had suffered after his greatest buddy was murdered in entrance of him years earlier.

An inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court docket was launched into his demise on Tuesday (March 1).

It heard how Mr Smith had been allowed to stick with the couple at their dwelling on Oldham Street over the Christmas interval.

A next-door neighbour final noticed Zoe Hamilton on Boxing Day when she visited her dwelling for a drink.

Ms Hamilton revealed she was pregnant and spoke of her considerations over her boyfriend James Acton, who had been arrested a couple of days earlier.

She was frightened her child can be taken away from her.

Throughout the go to, the neighbour noticed Ms Hamilton ingesting alcohol and taking tablets.

Zoe Hamilton and James Acton, pictured, were found dead - alongside Andrew Smith.
Zoe Hamilton and James Acton, pictured, have been discovered useless - alongside Andrew Smith. (Picture: MEN MEDIA)

These have been later found to be ‘pregabalin’ capsules, bought earlier from Cheetham Hill.

The inquest heard how Ms Hamilton was recognized to take medication together with heroin and methadone however had not too long ago “in the reduction of”.

In a press release learn out in courtroom, the neighbour stated she returned dwelling at round 2.30am, leaving Zoe on her personal.

It was the final time she would ever see her alive.

Over the subsequent few days, the neighbour seen she couldn’t hear Ms Hamilton talking or shifting by way of the skinny flat partitions.

She informed the courtroom this sparked concern.

On December 28, Ms Hamilton’s sister knocked on the neighbour’s door.

She requested her if she had heard from her sister, who she had not spoken to since Christmas.

When the neighbour stated she had not seen Ms Hamilton since she noticed her on Boxing Day, they determined to interrupt into her dwelling.

As soon as the neighbour bought contained in the tackle, she was hit by a “horrible” scent.

She informed the courtroom the quiet dwelling “didn’t really feel proper”.

She walked into an upstairs bed room and found a horrific scene.

A person – who was later recognized as Mr Smith – was mendacity inside a sleeping bag on the ground.

On a close-by mattress, there was a blanket overlaying two individuals.

When the neighbour pulled the blanket away, beneath she found Ms Hamilton and Mr Acton.

She shouted at Ms Hamilton telling her everybody had been on the lookout for her.

When she didn’t reply, the neighbour realised she was useless.

Emergency companies have been known as and police and paramedics rapidly descended on the scene.

Floral tributes left outside the house in Failsworth.
Floral tributes left outdoors the home in Failsworth. (Picture: MEN)

A toxicology report discovered Mr Smith had a lot of medication in his system on the time of his demise.

These included pregabalin, diazepam, heroin, methadone, cocaine, amphetamine and a low quantity of alcohol.

Nevertheless, the evaluation couldn't conclude if the medication have been taken at comparable instances or unfold out over a lot of days.

Talking on the inquest, his brother, Robert Smith, described him as a “cheeky chappy” who was outgoing, widespread and had many buddies.

He was born and raised in Oldham and had beforehand labored as a plasterer.

His points with dependancy have been sparked by a traumatic incident in his youthful years.

He had beforehand been concerned in an assault which noticed his greatest buddy murdered.

Although he was by no means formally identified with PTSD, his household say the tragedy had a major impact on him.

Mr Smith usually blamed himself for what occurred and would get up having evening terrors.

His household say this era was the “actual place to begin” for his spiralling psychological well being.

Mr Smith started utilizing medication and finally discovered himself homeless on the streets of Manchester.

His household final noticed him on December 23 when he visited his mom’s dwelling.

His brother Robert was at work when he heard three our bodies had been found in Oldham.

Colleagues have been discussing the incident and it had been broadcast on native radio.

One tribute read: "Always in our thoughts Andy."
One tribute learn: "At all times in our ideas Andy." (Picture: MEN)

However it will take seven hours for the household to be informed one of many our bodies discovered was Mr Smith.

Giving proof on the inquest, GMP detective inspector Rachel Smith stated a lot of assessments have been carried out the scene.

These included carbon monoxide poisoning and an investigation right into a potential suicide pact.

Each of those theories have been dominated out.

Nevertheless, police consider the diazepam tablets discovered on the scene might have been illicit.

Mr Smith's reason behind demise was discovered to be polydrug toxicity (mixed drug toxicity) and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Earlier than concluding the inquest, coroner Lisa Decide stated: "Andrew Smith was beloved so very a lot by all his household.

"What is evident from the proof I've heard is that there was one very important occasion.

"The tragic homicide of his best buddy was witnessed by him and his brother.

"The affect of that horrible occasion brought about Andrew to grow to be entrenched in long-term drug abuse.

"His household, longing him to beat his behavior, not solely offered him with bodily and monetary help however emotional help.

"The persevering with of his drug use brought about his way of life to grow to be chaotic."

Talking beforehand, Mr Smith’s associate, Michelle Fleming, described him because the 'greatest bloke you might ever meet' who would 'do something for anybody'.

The 38-year-old, who's the mom of Andrew's youngest daughter, stated: "You could not meet a nicer individual.

"He was simply the most effective bloke you might ever meet.

"He was very well-known in Failsworth and everybody that knew him would not have a nasty phrase to say about him.

"He was at all times actually well mannered and properly mannered.

"He would additionally do something for anybody. If you happen to wanted it he would offer you his final penny.

"The previous few months he had fallen on laborious instances however he was getting his life again on monitor.

"We're all simply completely devastated."

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