A heartbroken Lincolnshire mum has paid tribute to her much-loved son who sadly died in Boston. An inquest into the death of 24-year-old Christopher Nmaeka Arima-egwuatu (Chris) resumed on Monday, October 21 at HM Coroner’s Court for Greater Lincolnshire in Lincoln and a jury was sworn in.
The four-day inquest, being held by area coroner Jayne Wilkes, is expected to conclude on Thursday, October 24. At the hearing on Monday, it was heard how Chris, who was a mental health inpatient at Discovery House in Lincoln, absconded on May 11 last year while on an escorted visit to play football.
He met up with friends to buy and consume drugs at an address in Boston. On the morning of May 12, the people who Chris was with left the property and noted that he was ‘snoring’.
However, when they returned in the evening Chris was found dead. His clinical cause of death was confirmed as the use of heroin and cocaine.
Chris had absconded on a previous escorted visit just weeks prior to his death and consumed drugs. He had also been on a number of escorted visits following that one but had no issues.
Chris’ adoptive parents, Julia and Jason Farmer, were in attendance at the inquest as well as his brother Joe and a family friend. Representatives of Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust were also in attendance.
(Image: Julia Farmer)
The court heard how Mr and Mrs Farmer fostered Chris from just 14 weeks old and later adopted him. It was heard how, as an adult, Chris was taken advantage of by others and introduced to stronger drugs. He had a diagnosis of autism and schizophrenia and was detained a number of times under the Mental Health Act. It was also heard how there were concerns around approaches made by his biological family before his death.
Ms Wilkes told the court how Chris was open and honest with mental health staff about his cravings for drugs but, just a short time before his death, he seemed to be doing well and was planning out his future. Mrs Farmer read out a moving statement in court, describing her son as someone who “touched the hearts of people everywhere he went”.
She said how Chris never judged anyone, was always smiling as a child and was loved by all his friends and teachers while at school. Touching on the troubles Chris faced in adulthood, Mrs Farmer said: “Terrible things happened to Chris that no one should have to endure.”
She added: “Chris was my son. He was my pride and joy. My best friend.” Mrs Farmer told the court how Chris had written down all his hopes for the future including holidays and coming off drugs. Fighting back tears, she said how shortly before his 24th birthday, Chris was in bed and asked her: ‘I know I’m 24 in a couple of weeks, but will you tuck me in?’.
Mrs Farmer also told the court a moving story about how, during a trip to KFC with Chris, he spotted a homeless person outside and decided to go and chat with them and listen to their stories. Chris and his mum bought them some food and Chris gave the person a hug.
The inquest into his death continues.
Click Here to see original article Massive Hits is not responsible for external links, or news feed content.
