An inquest heard that a man, described as a ‘sensitive soul’, was found dead in his cell after being seen ‘high and staggering about’ in the hallway shortly before
A prisoner at HMP Birmingham was found dead after being seen “high on drugs and staggering about” the hallway, an inquest heard. Derrion Adams was discovered in cardiac arrest in his small, shared cell on October 31 last year.
He was described by his family as a “sensitive soul”, with the inquest starting yesterday (November 10). A vape suspected of being used to inhale spice – a synthetic cannabinoid also called Black Mamba – was found under his bed during a search of the K-wing room after his sudden death.
Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard his death remained a mystery, with the cause of death “unascertained at autopsy.” An 11-person jury was sworn in to help decide what happened to Derrion – who lived in Wolverhampton before he was imprisoned in April 2024.
Initially upon finding Derrion, a prison officer “felt that he had suffered a sustained assault” due to the blood at the scene, the court heard.
His former cellmate was initially questioned by the prison and later quizzed further as he was arrested on suspicion of his murder. However, it was thought “inconceivable” that, in such a small cell as their shared space, that “anyone could inflict a brutal assault and not get any blood on them.”
After a forensic post-mortem, a decision was made to take no further action against his former cellmate, Area Coroner Emma Brown said. Walsall-born Derrion had a history of mental health issues and drug abuse, with his mum Angela Price claiming he became “more distressed” as the months went on.
She became “extremely worried” that he was going to be hurt, the court heard.
“In a phone call the day before his death he informed me that he had joined choir and had a helpful conversation with a chaplain,” she said.
“He told me that he loved me, which was usual, but on this call, he asked me to tell everyone that he loved them.”
Fellow inmates reported Derrion had been on substances shortly after 4pm on the day of his death. Witnesses told investigators he “regularly did Black Mamba and must have had a Mamba attack, and had last seen him staggering along the landing outside their cells,” the coroner said.
Another prisoner said he had been “high all the time and that the Mamba people had been smoking on the wing was a lot stronger than usual, and the rumour on the street was that it was laced with Fentanyl.”
The coroner said of the post-mortem: “There was evidence he had vomited around the time of his death, and was in his airways. However, it could not be determined if the vomit travelled there after death,” the coroner said of the post-mortem.
A loving tribute from his mum, Mrs Price was read to the jury. She said: “He had a beautiful heart, he was compassionate, honest and kind. He loved animals.
“He had a great sense of humour and, as his mum, I thought he was very handsome.
“He was a sensitive soul and he hated it when I cried. He would say, ‘I’m trying my hardest to get clean Mumma.’ He loved and was loved his the people who knew him.”
His father, Phil Adams, added that he was “lucky to have so much time” with his son, both as a child and adult. He said: “I will miss him so much. Rest in peace my son.”
The inquest continues.
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