Love Island star Mike Thalassitis died after after taking alcohol and cocaine, inquest hears

Former footballer found hanged in park with notebook containing 'letters to family and positive thoughts' nearby

Love Island star Mike Thalassitis killed himself after consuming cocaine and alcohol and leaving notes for his family, an inquest has heard.

The 26-year-old reality TV star and former footballer was found hanged in a park in Enfield, north London, on 16 March this year.

An inquest into his death heard how toxicology results showed there was cocaine, alcohol, paracetamol and antidepressants in his system at the time of his death.

Senior coroner Andrew Walker said the blood and urine concentrations were “consistent with alcohol intoxication”.

Earlier this year, a coroner in Tyneside issued a warning about mixing alcohol and cocaine after another Love Island star, Sophie Gradon, hanged herself having consumed both substances.

The coroner at Ms Gradon’s inquest said research in the US showed the combination was known to make someone 16 times more likely to kill themselves.

Mr Thalassitis was found by a jogger in Church Street Recreation ground next to Haselbury Road in the north London borough where he lived shortly before 9.30am.

She called a friend who advised her to contact the police, the court heard.

An officer who attended the scene said a black notebook was found near where Mr Thalassitis died.

Giving evidence, PC Emma Clauson said: “I looked through the notebook which was a sort of combination of a diary and letters and positive thoughts.

“At the back of the diary was a number of notes that had been addressed to his family.”

Recording a conclusion of suicide, senior coroner Andrew Walker said: “There were a number of notes left behind and messages in which Mr Thalassitis clearly set out his intention that his life should come to an end.”

Following the hearing, Mr Thalassitis’ family paid tribute to their “wonderful son and brother”.

Parents Shirley and Andy Thalassitis (right and second right) and brother Nick Thalassitis (left) and his partner arrive at North London Coroner's Court in Barnet for the inquest into the death of Mike Thalassitis on 5 June 2019. (Yui Mok/PA)

Reading a statement on their behalf Dave Read, the star’s manager and agent, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind messages and support during this very difficult time.

“Today’s inquest concluded the sad news at the loss of our beautiful son and brother.

“We would respectfully request privacy at this time and digest what has happened to our family.

“Mike was a wonderful son and brother and will be dearly missed.”

Speaking to reporters after the inquest, former Love Island star Montana Brown said: “I think a lot of people are scared to talk about it but I think it’s important to let his memory live on and to also remember the importance of why this happened and to change your own life on what terrible, terrible, terrible thing has happened to Mike.

“I think everyone should be a little bit nicer, little bit kinder.

“It’s such an awful world that we live in so it’s just nice to be nice. I’ve definitely changed the way that I live my life and I urge people to do the same.”

Producers paid tribute to Thalassitis at the end of the opening episode of the new series, which aired on Monday night.

Beneath a photo, a message on screen read: “In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993-2019.”

Love Island said it would be offering further support and “bespoke training” to contestants in future.

Press Association contributed to this report.

If you have been affected by this story, you can contact the following organisations for support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Samaritans is available 24/7 every single day of the year to listen and offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope. People can contact Samaritans by phone, free of charge, on: 116123.