Celebrity photographer dies from ‘party drug’ overdose
A celebrity photographer found dead in his flat overdosed on a ‘party drug’ after he split from his boyfriend, an inquest has heard.
Matt Irwin who photographed celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and One Direction took a lethal dose of GHB after becoming depressed.
Friends of the 36-year-old said his depression started when his boyfriend broke-up with him to return to a previous partner. An “open letter to the world” was found on his laptop.
The Coroner’s Court heard that three of Mr Irwin’s friends went to his flat in London after they hadn’t heard from him.
When they arrived the door was unlocked and the photographer was found inside.
Although an ambulance was called, he was pronounced dead.
Samantha Teasdale, his friend, said he had lots of friends but had become depressed following the end of his relationship.
Recording a suicide verdict, Coroner Jacqueline Devonish, said: “He describes depression as brutal. He writes that ‘as a guy you really can’t say you’re not coping’. He couldn’t look at himself in the mirror.
“It is clear that he was depressed. He did however say in that note that he did wish he was dead.”
A number of celebrities paid tribute to the photographer following his death, including Rita Ora who shared a picture of them together and added: “Matthew Irwin, you were always smiling, I’m so lucky to have known you, and shooting so many fun things together.”
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