Inquest into death of High Wycombe man Marcus Cottoy

Marcus Cottoy
Marcus Cottoy

originally by: Bucks Free Press
6th January 2011

A 31-year-old man who feared ‘people were after him’ died after consuming drugs, an inquest heard this week. Marcus Cottoy, of Hawthorne Road, Micklefield, died on March 22, 2009, hours after being arrested and sectioned in a mental health unit. The inquest into his death began in Winslow yesterday and is scheduled to last eight days. Mr Cottoy had become “paranoid” that people were following him on the previous night, the inquest heard.

At about midnight he pleaded with bar staff at the King George V pub on London Road to call the police, saying he had smashed a window with a pool ball and wanted to be arrested, the inquest heard.

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Death in custody of mental health patient

Kirpal Rahel
Kirpal Rahel

originally published by: BBC News
26th July 2010

It cannot bear the hallmarks of timely or equitable justice when the State takes five full years to deliver a satisfactory explanation to a family, when a vulnerable relative has been deprived of their liberty and they then die in unexpected circumstances whilst in NHS care.

Statement from Claire Murdoch, Chief Executive, Central North West London Hospital Foundation Trust:

“I would like to extend our condolences to Mr. Rahel’s family and assure them that we will do all we can to help them answer any remaining questions they might have in relation to his untimely and tragic death five years ago.

We are continuing to work with the Trust, which was responsible for the service at the time, to ensure that we, with their help, are able to address any unanswered issues to ensure that all possible lessons are learned and shared for the benefit of future patients and their families.

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