Falmouth University student Callum Baverstock Truro Inquest

Callum George Baverstock, 19, from East Sussex had only arrived at Falmouth University in September 2022 but had already made a big impression.

He was found dead in his bed on November 10, 2022 by one of the student care team who’d come to tell him he had been given free access to the gym.

An inquest into his death in Truro today (May 3) heard that a post mortem had found prescription painkillers in his bloodstream way above the lethal limit.

There were also traces of Diazepam, cocaine and ketamine found in his bloodstream.

The type of painkiller he took when combined with other suppression drugs may act to together to exacerbate effects on breathing, the inquest was told.

The inquest heard that Callum lived most of his life with his mother in East Sussex and had a strong relationship with his grandparents. He was described as a “fast person, full of energy and enthusiasm”.

In a statement read out by the assistant coroner Emma Hillson, his mother Camelia said her son had been diagnosed with ADHD when he was nine.

She said he was, bright, switched on and intelligent and did well at school.

However she said at around the age of 14 Callum became involved in drugs and was known to use a variety of them, including class A drugs.

He had had two incidents of cannabis induced psychosis and had undergone therapy.

Despite therapy and warnings from family he was adamant the drugs were not harmful and his drug taking increased and he had extensive involvement with health workers and therapy This would have a short term effect before he returned to drug taking.

During the Covid 19 pandemic he’d become depressed had overdosed on heroin and had to be resuscitated by an ambulance crew.

He expressed suicidal thoughts and was sectioned as a result but it was concluded that the overdose was an error of judgement and when he came out she said his mood wasn’t low.

He had moved in with his grandparents but in September 2022 he started at Falmouth University studying art and fashion.

The inquest was told he took some time to settle but soon became engaged in university life signing up for athletics and enjoying his coursework.

The assistant coroner noted that the tutors were extremely supportive at the university and engaged well with Callum. His mum also said the tutors were supportive.

He returned home to Sussex to go to a Halloween party and stayed with his mum and his girlfriend. His mum said he seemed excited and positive about his course and enthusiastic about his return.

She said he’d been offered paid commission for his artwork. He had some concerns about his finances but that had been resolved with the university confirming that he would receive the full award student loan.

His friend Ellen, his flatmate at university, said they met in September 2022 and Callum was interesting and they spoke on a wide range of topics.

However, she said he liked to go out partying, drinking and taking drugs which he freely discussed, mentioning the use of Ketamine and pills. He’d go out drinking in town saying he was going to raves and clubs.

She said in the last few days of his life she had noted a complete change in him and he appeared completely out of it, being vacant and not acknowledging her in the room.

She said he appeared to be in a troubled relationship with his girlfriend and this was stressing him out as he was concerned for her mental health.

Ellen last tried to contact him at 3.30am on the day that he died asking him if he was still up, but there was no reply.

Another flatmate John, described Callum as an upbeat and energetic person who was hyperactive and chatty and got on well with his flatmates and friends outside in the wider university.

READ NEXT:

Huge barge to house refugees to arrive in Falmouth in next few days, Home Office says

He said he seemed to live an erratic casual, lifestyle going out two to three times a week and coming in late. He said the last time he saw him the day before he died or the day before that, he was his normal chatty, energetic self.

Callum last spoke to his university worker on November 9 and she made notes of the conversation.

She discussed him going for free sessions at the gym and arranged for him to access the university food bank as he didn’t have much money at the time. She said he was in good spirits.

However when she went round on November 10 at 11am to tell him he had been successful in getting free membership to the gym he did not answer his door.

The caretaker let them in and Callum was found dead in bed.

Notes written on a scrap piece of paper found in is room appeared to be a to-do list but had the words “sorry I’m gone” written at the end, but this was discounted as being a suicide note by the coroner.

The coroner concluded that Callum died of a drug related death.

REPORTING on inquests is one of the most difficult jobs faced by any journalist, but there are important reasons why local newspapers attend coroner’s court hearings and report on proceedings.

Reporters are acutely aware that they are often dealing with people at a deeply distressing time and that finding a balance between sensitivity and accurate reporting is essential.

It is important to stress that at no point does a reporter wish to upset or distress anyone – particularly members of the deceased’s family. However, local newspapers have a duty to report difficult subjects.

What is an inquest?

An inquest will be held regarding sudden, unexplained or suspicious deaths.

Inquests determine how a person died and ensure that lessons can be learned.

Except in exceptional circumstance, inquests are always held in open court, meaning any member of the public or press can attend.

The coroner’s court support service website says: “An Inquest is to determine how, when and where someone has died, but not why.

“It is an investigation to ascertain the facts concerning a death and does not apportion blame on any individual.”

Why do we report on them?

There are three main reasons why it is important to cover an inquest.

For justice to be done, it must be seen to be done - in this regard a coroner's court is no different to any other court of law.

Reporters have a duty to ensure that hearings are a matter of public record.

The aim of this is to ensure that all cases are treated fairly and with respect.

It is important to understand that newspapers do not pass judgement, we simply report what has happened.

Secondly, an inquest will often bring up topics that require examination.

There is a public interest in reporting inquests to ensure that lessons can be learned so that others can avoid the same fate.

The independent press standards organisation (IPSO) gives advice for journalists reporting on inquests, it says: “Newspapers might report on inquests for a number of reasons – to make sure that the public understands how and why a person has died; to draw attention to the circumstances of a death, in the hope that this will prevent other such deaths in the future; or to clear up any suspicions about a person’s death.”