Prodigy star Keith Flint hanged himself with a cocktail of cocaine and powerful painkillers in his system, inquest hears
PRODIGY star Keith Flint hanged himself with a cocktail of cocaine and powerful painkillers in his system, an inquest heard today. The 49-year-old was found dead at his £1.5million mansion in the Essex hamlet of North End on March 4. An inquest in Chelmsford, Essex, today heard the Firestarter singer hanged himself after taking codeine, […]
PRODIGY star Keith Flint hanged himself with a cocktail of cocaine and powerful painkillers in his system, an inquest heard today.
The 49-year-old was found dead at his £1.5million mansion in the Essex hamlet of North End on March 4.
An inquest in Chelmsford, Essex, today heard the Firestarter singer hanged himself after taking codeine, cocaine and alcohol.
Coroner’s officer Linda Calder told Wednesday’s brief inquest hearing: “Mr Flint was found at his home address by a friend, hanging from a beam.”
She said a post-mortem examination recorded that the singer died by hanging.
OPEN CONCLUSION
Essex Senior Coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray, recorded an open conclusion, adding that “we will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date”.
She said Flint’s family and band manager were aware of the hearing but did not wish to attend.
The hearing was held in their absence, with no witnesses called to give evidence in person.
Police attended the much-loved singer’s home and found there were no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement, Ms Beasley-Murray said.
Explaining how she reached her conclusion, she said: “I’ve considered suicide.
We will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date and so that’s why I’m going to record an open conclusion.
Caroline Beasley-Murray, Essex Senior Coroner
“To record that, I would have to have found that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Flint formed the idea and took a deliberate action knowing it would result in his death.
“Having regard to all the circumstances I don’t find that there’s enough evidence for that.”
She also found insufficient evidence to conclude his death was an accident, where he may have been “larking around and it all went horribly wrong”.
She added: “I’m going to conclude an open conclusion.
“We will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date and so that’s why I’m going to record an open conclusion.
“He clearly was extremely popular, he was much-loved by so many fans.
“RAISED THE ROOF”
“It’s been very touching to see that, and of course I’m aware of the funeral service that was held in Bocking.”
Music fans travelled from as far afield as Australia to gather outside St Mary’s church in Bocking for Flint’s funeral on March 29.
His tearful wife joined hundreds of The Prodigy fans as they “raised the roof” to send off the music legend with a massive rave during his funeral.
A huge crowd danced through the streets as his coffin was pulled to his local church.
Festival flags were flown and floral tributes piled up in the churchyard including one of the band’s ant logo.
Police attended, all protocols were followed and his death was confirmed as not suspicious
Coroner's officer Lynsey Chaffe
Keith fought a long battle with drink, drugs and depression, however his wife had “saved him” from his party lifestyle.
In March, we revealed Flint had been in a “serious relationship” with mum-of-three Faye Kelbie, 43.
The pair met through friends in their village in Essex and one pal said: “Faye is absolutely devastated. For over two years, Keith was a huge part of her life and she adored him.
“They split up because she struggled with the amount of time he was touring.
“Faye just wishes she had known the extent of his unhappiness and mental health issues – she would have done all she could to help.
HEARTBROKEN
“But the feeling is that Keith made his mind up to end things weeks ago.”
Flint rose to fame in the 1990s in the Brit Award-winning electronic band, who were known for hits including Firestarter and Breathe.
They released their latest album No Tourists in November, their seventh consecutive number one record.
Prodigy bandmate Liam Howlett said he was “heartbroken” following the news.
He said: “The news is true, I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend.
“I’m shell shocked , f***ing angry, confused and heart broken r.i.p brother.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
He was described in a statement by bandmates Liam Howlett and Maxim as “a true pioneer, innovator and legend”.
They said Flint was their “brother and best friend” and “he will be forever missed”.
He had participated in the 5k Chelmsford Central parkrun on March 2, posting a personal best time of 21 minutes and 22 seconds.
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