Model who choked girlfriend to demise was ‘lad’s lad’, inquest hears

The friends of a male model who hanged himself after choking his girlfriend to death in a ‘sex game gone wrong’, say he was a ‘lad’s lad’ who loved partying and taking cocaine.

The revelations came as statements were read out today at the inquest of plasterer Luke Cannon, 31, at Bradford Coroner’s Court.

Georgia May Brooke, 26, went into cardiac arrest during rough sex with boyfriend Cannon and despite efforts from paramedics, was pronounced dead at 12.34am on February 3, 2022 at Bradford Royal Infirmary. 

On the night he killed his girlfriend in a dangerous sexual practice — that he was known to have done before — Cannon was found to have cocaine, GHB and viagra in his system. 

The court today heard how Georgia had arrived at Cannon’s home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, at 6am on the morning of February 2, 2022.

She had left his place at 1.15pm to get vodka from the local off-licence and they were not heard from again until Cannon rang his landlord just after midnight to tell him what had happened.

The landlord advised him to call an ambulance.

When paramedics arrived at his home, they found Ms Brooke naked and without a pulse on his bed.

They noticed restraints tied to the top and bottom of the bed frame.

He told them they had taken G — slang for GHB — and that they had been having sex.

Georgia was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary where she was pronounced dead  just five minutes after arrival.

It was the second day of two inquests, the details of Georgia’s death were heard on Wednesday. 

The court heard how the pair met in May 2021 and were enjoying their time together, going on sunrise walks, cycling and going to the gym.

But others told the court he was always taking drugs.

Cannon was referred to a drug rehabilitation service as far back as 2017 when he was arrested and was found to have cocaine in his possession.

He also went to his GP in 2018 with concerns over his steroid use.

A friend said she had suspected their relationship would come to an end when Georgia would want more from the relationship, as had happened in the past.

In a statement, his mother, Jane Cannon, said he had met his soulmate and that he was looking forward to their future together.

However, in another statement, one friend explained how Georgia would tell her own mother she was out with her, rather than Luke.

At Georgia’s inquest hearing on Wednesday the court heard how her mother, Samantha Beaumont, did not like the relationship and considered him to be controlling.

At the hearing today, Cannon’s mother and brother defended him, saying he was a kind and considerate man and that Georgia could do what she wanted.

Mother Jane said he had had several jobs including working in a doctor’s reception, a personal trainer and was hoping to become a fireman. He had also worked in Australia a couple of times over the years.

She told how she had missed a call from her son in the middle of the night because her phone was on silent.

She said: ‘I never got a chance to speak to him or help him. I miss him so much, I can hardly bear the loss.

‘Luke always had a horror of hanging as a way of committing suicide. He did it because Georgia died like this so he could die like this too.’

His brother, Joshua, said: ‘Luke could be flashy and confident but he was also a genuine and generous person.

‘Georgia’s final months were not spent with someone coercive and controlling but someone special who cared about her that he was so devastated and deeply sorry for what happened so much that he did the same to himself.’

Once at the hospital, Cannon had tried to call Georgia’s mother but called a friend to ask her to let her know, when he couldn’t get through.

He said to the friend: ‘Tell her mum I’m going to be with her.’

The detective who investigated both deaths, Det Sgt Phil Hardwick, of West Yorkshire Police, told the court how the hospital’s CCTV showed ‘Luke was extremely remorseful and beside himself. He could be seen on CCTV at BRI crying and pacing. He was obviously distressed, like he didn’t know what to do with himself.’

Police arrived at the hospital with the intention of arresting Luke on suspicion of murdering Georgia following the concerns of medical staff, but Luke had already left the building.

CCTV footage showed he had jumped over a 3ft wall into a wooded area near the hospital.

His body was found by a resident living in one of the homes backing onto the area at 9.20am.

Recording the cause of death as hanging with a verdict of suicide Coroner Martin Fleming said: ‘His mum said that Luke was a much loved son and brother, he was described by his mother as being a wonderful man who lit up a room.

‘He was kind and loved by his friends and he supported his family throughout.

‘He also had a vulnerable side and always spoke friendly of Georgia and gave the perception of a balanced relationship.

‘To lose a son in these circumstances must be so hard to bear and to reconcile with.’

His family refused to comment after the hearing.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.