NEED TO KNOW
- Paul Danan was found dead sitting on his sofa after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs at his Bristol home in England on Jan. 15, according to reports
- The soap star’s death was reportedly ruled as a “misadventure” in court during an inquest
- Danan’s death was caused by a combination of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, a post-mortem examination reportedly confirmed
Paul Danan reportedly died from a combined toxicity of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, while watching TV at his home, a court has heard.
During the inquest over the actor’s death at Avon Coroner’s Court in England, it was revealed that Danan was found unresponsive, sitting on the sofa in front of the television at his home in Brislington, Bristol, after ingesting a fatal cocktail of drugs, the BBC reported.
The inquest heard that the 46-year-old soap star was pronounced dead by emergency services after being found unresponsive at his home at 5:20 p.m. local time on Jan. 15, according to the outlet.
A postmortem examination determined that Danan’s death was caused by a combined toxicity of heroin, cocaine, methadone, codeine, pregabalin and zopiclone, contributed to by benzodiazepine use, the BBC reported.
Coroner Debbie Rookes ruled Danan’s death a “misdaventure” and said in court that there was no evidence to suggest the actor intended to take his own life, per the BBC.
A neighbor reportedly used a ladder to look into Danan’s apartment, where he found him on the sofa with the television still on, according to the Daily Mail and the U.K. newspaper Metro. Danan’s girlfriend, Melissa Crooks, had raised concerns after not hearing from him since the early hours of Jan. 14 after they went out for drinks together, according to the outlets.
Danan was known for starring as Sol Patrick in the U.K. soap opera Hollyoaks, as well as appearing on the reality TV series Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
In the opening inquest over the actor’s death on March 11, Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp told the hearing that Danan’s body was identified by Crooks, The Guardian previously reported.
“The circumstances are that Mr. Danan was found unresponsive at his home address,” Camp said, per the outlet. “Emergency services attended and confirmed he had sadly died. A postmortem has taken place and samples have been removed for further analysis.”
“I understand there are no family concerns. No note was left,” she added.
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Danan’s management company, Independent Creative Management, said in an Instagram statement following his death, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old,” the post read. “Paul was a beacon of light to so many. His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.”
Danan was due to attend a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court the day after his death on Jan. 16, for his charges of cocaine and cannabis possession, according to court documents obtained by the BBC.
PEOPLE reached out to the Avon Coroner’s Court for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
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