Jury inquest into death of Saxmundham patient Darren Downie

An inquest into the death of Darren Downie was officially opened at Suffolk Coroners' Court in Ipswich on Friday.

Mr Downie died on February 23 this year at the age of 53.

The court heard that on February 13, police received a call from staff at Foxhall House reporting Mr Downie missing.

Foxhall House was formerly part of St. Clements Hospital and treats male patients.

Staff told police that Mr Downie was a “section 3 patient”, meaning he was in the facility under section 3 of the Mental Health Act. He had been discharged from hospital but had not returned at the agreed time.

Over the next seven days there were several telephone calls between the police, Foxhall House staff and Mr Downie himself, but he did not return to the centre.

The court heard that on February 20, Mr Downie contacted Foxhall House to report that he had taken a “significant amount” of a prescription drug. Staff reported that his words sounded “slurred”.

Staff called an ambulance, which alerted the police. They arrived at Mr Downie's home and took him to Ipswich Hospital.

On February 21, Mr. Downie was transferred to the hospital's intensive care unit, where he remained until his death on February 23.

The presiding judge, Darren Stewart OBE, said that a jury was required for this inquest.

A jury is required if the deceased person was in any form of government custody and his or her death is considered unnatural or the cause of death is unknown.

Mr Stewart said this investigation would likely take place in mid-2025.