A BRIT holidaymaker was found dead on a luggage trolley at a luxury hotel in Mexico after “play fighting” in the lobby, an inquest heard.
Dean Wright collapsed and died at the five-star resort in Cancun, Mexico, in December 2019.
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The 33-year-old, from Westerhope, Newcastle, was on a TUI holiday with his then girlfriend and had been socialising in the bar area of the plush Riu Hotel where they were staying.
Almost five years on, an inquest into Dean’s death at Newcastle Coroner’s Court heard he collapsed in the bathroom of the lobby between 5am and 7am.
His “devastated” family pushed for answers about what happened on the morning Dean died after police investigations both abroad and in the UK were dropped.
But further medical examinations in England ruled Dean had not suffered any serious head injury as was first feared and no evidence of third-party involvement was found.
Detective Sergeant Neill Jobling of Northumbria Police said Dean and his partner Rebecca Platts had purchased cocaine which they consumed with a Californian man in the early hours of December 14.
However, the inquest heard that Rebecca went to bed in the hours before Dean collapsed and had asked him to stop taking the drugs.
Mr Jobling said: “In summary he (the male guest) witnessed an altercation within the bar with Dean and others.
“There was suggestion there was a food fight or some part of an altercation.
“He said Dean then goes into the restroom to effectively clean himself up from the food that was thrown.
“He then stated that there was some further altercation inside those toilets but couldn’t provide any further detail that would help today.”
There was also an initial suggestion that Dean was restrained inside the bathroom but that account could not be corroborated by authorities.
Home Office pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy examined Dean’s body and said experts found his heart to be enlarged.
Giving her account, Dr Mulcahy said: “I was informed on the 14th of December Dean was on holiday with his girlfriend in Cancun, Mexico.
“At approximately 5am on the 14th of December 2019 there had been some play fighting and an altercation in the communal area of the hotel.”
Dean was then said to attend the public bathroom to clean up at approximately 7am that morning.
“It was reported by an American they heard screaming and shouting.
“There were six security guards said to be assisting Dean however there was also known to be some confusion about what had been said or heard as the American kept changing their story.
“Dean was placed on a luggage trolley and removed from the communal bathroom before resuscitation attempts were commenced but Dean’s death was confirmed.”
Dr Mulcahy told the hearing that an initial postmortem carried out in Mexico ruled he suffered a heart attack.
However, a recent health examination carried out on Dean before his death through work found no issues with his heart.
BRUISES FOUND
His family requested another postmortem and Dr Mulcahy said a number of bruises were found on his head, torso, and limbs.
But when asked by Ms Dilks, Dr Mulcahy ruled the injuries were not consistent with being caused by a third party.
Dr Mulcahy added: “The only injury that would potentially raise concern was the black eye and split above the eye however that could have occurred from a simple fall or a collapse.”
The pathologist said a lack of tests were conducted on Dean’s brain and heart in Mexico.
Further examinations carried out in the UK concluded his heart was “mildly enlarged,” caused by possible high blood pressure.
Dr Mulcahy added: “There was no pathological or radiological evidence of skull fracture.”
ALCOHOL AND COCAINE IN SYSTEM
The hearing was told alcohol and cocaine were found in Dean’s system and the bruising may have resulted from falling to the ground.
In a pre-prepared tribute, Dean’s mum Maria Wray said her son had worked as an electrician before completing his off-shore qualifications.
He moved up to be a wind farm inspector which saw him travel the world.
Maria said: “Dean has always been very hard working.
“Dean had played rugby from an early age and was quickly chosen to play for the county and was elected for trials for England.
“Dean always loved football and was a season ticket holder for Newcastle.
“The loss of Dean has huge impact on my family.
“The family are devastated and completely broken. Dean was the oldest grandchild and the oldest nephew.
“Dean was a very generous person and he would give you his last penny.
“Dean’s funeral was almost a celebration with over 500 people attending from all over the UK and Australia.”
‘ACCIDENTAL’ DEATH
Coroner Karen Dilks gave a conclusion that Dean’s death was accidental.
Ms Dilks said: “Accidental means someone has acted intentionally, they chose to do what they did, and they didn’t intend the consequences.”
Addressing Dean’s mum at the end, Ms Dilks said: “I can’t imagine how difficult the circumstances have been for you.
“Losing a child in any situation is devastating but to have it complicated by another country and the complexities of that along with the investigations that followed.
“My heart goes out to you.”
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