Senior Coroner Robert Cohen is holding inquests into the deaths of five men in Cumbria who died while on bail during police investigations. None had been convicted, and the coroner is focusing on whether support systems for people under investigation were adequate. Evidence presented includes mental-health referrals, housing moves, bail extensions and toxicology results. The inquest will hear further live evidence from NHS trusts, local authorities and senior police officers as it continues.
Coroner Opens Inquests After Five Men Found Dead On Bail In Cumbria
Coroner Robert Cohen said he wanted to establish if support systems in place for people under investigation were effective [BBC]
This article contains references to suicide and may be upsetting. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support and information are available at BBC Action Line.
Senior Coroner Robert Cohen is examining the deaths of five men in Cumbria who died while on bail during police investigations. Although the cases are not believed to be linked, Cohen told the court there is a "common thread" because each man appears to have taken his own life at a time when they were under investigation.
Who Died and When
The inquest named the five men and the dates they were found:
- Andrew Barker, 28 — found in his Kendal flat on 15 October 2025.
- Paul Lodge, 44 — found in his vehicle in Askam-in-Furness on 2 May 2026.
- Kory Murgatroyd, 20 — found in a Kendal homeless hostel on 17 May 2026.
- Nigel Peter Roper, 60 — found at his home in Kendal on 5 June 2026.
- Ruairi Buckley, 50 — found at his home in Threlkeld on 18 June 2026.
Focus Of The Inquests
Cohen emphasised that none of the men had been convicted of the alleged offences and said his primary interest is in examining the support — or lack of it — available to people under investigation. He said the goal is to contribute constructively to the wider conversation about safeguarding vulnerable people who are subject to criminal enquiries.
"There are comparatively a large number of individuals who have died while under police investigation nationally. The purpose is to try and be a constructive part of the conversation about the best way to address this issue," Cohen told the court.
The first day of the hearing considered written evidence about each man's background, mental-health history, bail arrangements and contact with statutory and voluntary support services. A second day will hear live testimony from NHS trust staff, local authority representatives and senior police officers.
Case Summaries
Andrew Barker: Arrested in January 2025 and accused of rape, Barker had diagnoses including learning disabilities, autism, ADHD and epilepsy, and a history of anxiety and depression. After custody staff recorded suicidal thoughts, he was referred to mental health crisis teams and released on bail with social-worker and family support. His bail had been extended three times, most recently five days before his death. A post-mortem found a high concentration of propranolol in his blood, with epilepsy a contributing factor; evidence noted propranolol can provoke prolonged seizures in people with epilepsy.
Kory Murgatroyd: A care leaver under investigation (details not disclosed), Murgatroyd lost his job and housing support after allegations. He was arrested after a crash in March when officers found he had been self-harming and reported heavy drinking. He was discharged from hospital to GP care, placed on bail and moved into a homeless hostel. Staff reported mood and behaviour improvements but raised concerns after he was not seen for several days; he was discovered dead during a welfare check on 17 May.
Paul Lodge: Arrested at his family home in 2025 (allegations not disclosed), Lodge lost his job and later moved back in with his parents because of bail conditions. His family described a distressing arrest and said his daughters required counselling. Electronic evidence delays led to further bail extensions; Lodge was found dead in his car in a remote area on 2 May 2026. The medical cause of death was carbon monoxide toxicity.
Nigel Peter Roper: Roper, a former shoe repairer, had been dismissed amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour. He was found dead in June 2026 after his brother raised concerns. A post-mortem identified paracetamol, codeine and morphine in his system. The pathologist said a definitive conclusion could not be reached because a reliable blood sample could not be taken. When arrested, he denied experiencing concerning thoughts about his mental health.
Ruairi Buckley: Arrested on 1 March 2026, police said concerns related to the state of his property, which they judged posed an immediate risk to children. Officers reported multiple dogs and unhygienic conditions. A neighbour raised the alarm on 18 June when Buckley's dogs were found unattended; police later discovered him hanging inside the house.
Questions Raised About Support And Guidance
Cohen criticised how national guidance from the College of Policing is applied in practice, saying some referrals to organisations such as Childline and Victim Support were not suitable for adults under investigation for serious allegations. He told the court he was "pretty unimpressed by the College of Policing" and intends to probe how multi-agency arrangements, risk assessment and practical support for vulnerable people under investigation actually operate.
The inquest is ongoing and will consider live evidence from health services, local authorities and police to identify whether systemic changes are needed to protect vulnerable people facing prolonged enquiries.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article or are in immediate danger, contact emergency services. For mental-health support in the UK, consider reaching out to BBC Action Line or local NHS mental-health services.
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