Horror as dad, 23, dies after buying drugs on dark web using Telegram messaging app

A DAD died after buying illegal prescription drugs on the dark web, an inquest heard.

Connor Laycock, 23, used the Telegram messaging app to buy medication that was not available in the UK.

He was discovered dead in his bed on April 12 this year when his girlfriend and sisters raised the alarm.

Coroner Laura Fox ruled a conclusion of a drug-related death following an inquest at Accrington Town Hall, Lancs Live reports.

The hearing was told Connor started taking drugs when he was 15 and had moved from cannabis to ketamine in recent years.

In the months leading up to his death, he managed to cut his use of the drug each week.

The court was told he had a history of mental health issues, including suspected bipolar disorder and drug-induced psychosis.

On April 12, his sisters Olivia and Gemma went to his home after girlfriend Amy raised concerns.

Gemma said: “Police had already arrived and Olivia and her friend were outside.

“The police were already there trying to get into the address. I remember saying to them that he might be spooked and to be kind to him.

“The police went in and I couldn’t hear any shouting so I was worried. When the police came down the stairs I asked to speak to him and they said that he had died.”

Police searched Connor’s phone and discovered he had been buying drugs from a contact on the dark web via Telegram.

He had previously admitted buying medication that was delivered to his home.

The coroner said: “Connor Laycock died on April 12, 2024, at his home address, from the fatal effects of multi-drug toxicity.”