An inquest heard that a barrister, who had been studying to be a minister to the church, died of an overdose from crystal meth after he took too much. He feared that police would arrest him.
Martin McGann, 37, practised in family law at a chambers in London before deciding on a career change and enrolling at Ripon Theology College in Oxford to be ordained into the church.
An inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court into his death on Tuesday revealed that he had an illicit drug habit and lived at the college while concealing it.
This led to Mr McGann inhaling methamphetamine, thinking that police would arrest him.
His body was discovered in his bedroom on July 19.
Martin McGann, 37, was found dead inside his dormitory at Ripon Theology College in Oxford on July 19 earlier this year
Nicholas Graham, the Assistant Coroner of Nicholas McGann spoke at the close of the short inquest. He stated to the court that insufficient evidence was available to support the claim that McGann wanted to commit suicide before he could record a verdict for drug-related death.
According to a friend, the barrister was gay and had enrolled in Ripon College, Cuddesdon. However, he had grown more paranoid.
One friend who took theology was also on the course said that if a vehicle drove by, he would jump to the windows to check if it were a police car. To the point of his death, he became increasingly paranoid.
Martin was the one I messaged. He said he was having regular panic attacks so I went to see him in person, and as theological students, we’re advised to speak to our spiritual leaders.
‘He said he wanted to do that on that night, but didn’t give any particular details. The week was a blurred memory. He was at his doctor, and had visited friends at a barbecue.
Ripon Theology College in Oxford, where barrister Mr McGann was studying to become a church minister prior to his death
A friend told me how McGann insisted that McGann call a lawyer the following morning. But he refused to provide any details.
The friend called the solicitor and knocked at Mr McGann’s door. But he didn’t get a response.
He assumed that McGann was asleep when he left, and returned to the police station later to be informed by them.
According to the inquest, the barrister died from an overdose that occurred before his death.
After a post-mortem, he was found to have six microgrammes methamphetamine for every 100ml of blood. There were also traces of amperamine in his body at the time of death.
Concluding the inquest, at which none of Mr McGann’s family attended in person, Mr Graham confirmed a drug-related death verdict, saying: ‘There is insufficient evidence to suggest he intended to take his own life.’