A teenager who was disabled died after taking triple-strength ecstasy pills called “The Punisher”, named after a popular Netflix series.
Harley Girven, 19, could not use his legs and had one properly functioning arm and bought three blue high-strength MDMA tablets for £10 on a night out with friends, an inquest into his death heard.
The teenager with cerebral palsy was deemed “vulnerable” and felt “caged in” by his daily life unless he was high on alcohol.
After taking two pills, he was found dead in his bed.
Newport’s coroner said Harley’s actions were reckless and warned against using the drug.
Blue Punisher MDMA tablets were released following the success of Netflix’s vigilante show, ‘The Punisher. They bore the skull logo that Frank Castle used to identify the pills.
Harley was declared dead in his Shanklin flat on the Isle of Wight at midday on June 29, 2019.
Bonnie McBride (primary school worker) said that Harley’s 20-year-old brother Mikey was killed in a car accident 2 years ago. She feared that he would kill himself and that he had attempted to overdose on prescription medication.
Mrs McBride said that she refused to let the police in until they explained what had happened. I said, “Oh my god, he hasn’t killed himself!” when they said “Harley”.
“In a way, I think he did. I don’t think he was concerned about whether he would live or die. He was trying escape from the physical pain and heartbreak of losing a brother.
“He loved his family so deeply.”
She said that he had additional ‘challenges’ as a child because of cerebral palsy.
She said that Harry was a great person and would laugh with everyone he met.
Harley was only the fourth time he had tried ecstasy.
The youngster was concerned that he would never get married and have children.
One friend said to the inquest that he felt like he was being held back a lot. The only time he was not was when taking a pill.
“He couldn’t get his stuff off his chest, but when he was on pills, he felt happy on pills.
His devastated parents stated that Harley had started using cannabis to ease his pain, and was still grieving for the death of his older brother.
The inquest heard Harley was last seen with friends the night before his passing and asked them, “Do you want to get beaned up?”
He asked for one to take out the pill for him but they refused. Harley took the pill and swallowed it within moments.
The friend concerned said that Harley had said to me, “I need a drink, that has left a bad taste” and I replied, “Have you taken it?” What are you doing that for? I called him a dickhead.
“His jaw moved as one would expect, his pupils were dilate, and he seemed very happy.
Harley and two of his friends returned to their flat shortly after midnight, where Harley took another medication and his friends smoked cannabis.
Another statement was made by one of his friends. He said that Harley was sitting with his shirt off and said that he had taken a Punisher.
The friend, not concerned about Harley’s welfare but was able to carry him to bed around 5am. Harley was then told that he loved him.
They assumed Harley was asleep in the next morning, but were shocked to discover that he was not responding to their calls and had his vomit and blood all around him.
Robert Girven, Harley’s father, stated that his increased use cannabis to relieve his pain had caused him ‘angry bursts’. He last saw him three days before his passing, and they laughed and joked with each other.
Coroner Caroline Sumeray warned against MDMA.
She said, “Harley was only 19 years old.” He had had some serious difficulties in his past and was challenged by cerebral palsy.
“He was a happy boy until the realization of his future and the things he might not achieve. That really affected him.
‘He had dark times. He was reckless but there were good reasons why he used cannabis.
She said that ecstasy was a’much more dangerous’ state.
The coroner said that he was reckless and took pills he shouldn’t have taken. He died from the effects of these tablets.
Harley was the only one who experienced ecstasy that evening, and Mrs Sumeray said that his friends did ‘help him’.
Three teenagers were investigated by police. Police released one teenager from Harley’s apartment without further action, while the other teenage boy who put Harley to bed was given a caution for possessing marijuana but was not charged.
The young man accused of supplying Harley with drugs was released immediately.
Mrs McBride, Harley’s mother, said that a lack of prosecution was very frustrating’.
Detective Sergeant Lee Torrance acknowledged that it was frustrating, but said there wasn’t enough evidence for him to move it forward.