A 24-year-old man died from the unintended effects of self-administered drugs after his body was found at a homeless encampment area off the Coronation Channel in Spalding, an inquest has heard.
Jake Beck died on Friday, July 11, 2025. A recent hearing at Lincoln Coroner’s Court heard that he died from multiple drug toxicity.
The inquest was told that Mr Beck had an extensive history of alcohol and drug abuse. A post-mortem examination found potentially fatal levels of morphine in his body, along with elements of cocaine, codeine and diazepam.
Family described Jake Beck as a ‘wonderful person’
A statement from his mother, Lindis Beck, was read during the proceedings. She described her son as polite, respectful and willing to help others, and said he knew how to make people laugh.
Her statement said Jake loved music and could play the guitar and drums. He was also described as artistic, making his own jewellery and creating items from wood and metal.
“Jake was a wonderful person, always willing to help anybody out,” the statement said. “He was polite, respectful and knew how to make other people laugh.”
It added: “He loved his music and could play the guitar and drums. He was very arty and would make his own jewellery as well as making things from wood and metal.”
Mrs Beck said the family missed him deeply as a son and sibling. She also said he had experienced mental-health difficulties but had refused to see a doctor for help.
“He did suffer from his mental health for a while but wouldn’t go to the doctors to seek help,” her statement said.
He had told family he was starting a new job
The hearing heard that the breakdown of an 18-month relationship had significantly affected Mr Beck’s mental health. He had also lost a steady job, which his mother said was through no fault of his own.
On the day before his body was found, Mrs Beck noticed that his mood was low. However, she said a new job appeared to be making him happy. The inquest heard that Mr Beck had told his family he was starting work the following day.
Mrs Beck dropped him off in Spalding after he said he would stay with friends that night before going to work.
Witness called 999 after finding him
The inquest heard that Amanda Scales found Mr Beck and dialled 999. When paramedics arrived, she was stroking the hair of the man she knew as “Punk Rocker Jake”, who was known in and around Spalding.
Coroner Jayne Wilkes concluded that Mr Beck’s death was drug-related. She said there was no evidence of third-party involvement and found, on the balance of probabilities, that he had died from the unintended effects of drugs he had taken himself.
“On the balance of probabilities he died from the unintended effects of his self-administered drugs,”
Miss Wilkes offered her sincere condolences to Jake’s family and thanked them for their support during the inquest process.
“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Jake for the loss of this wonderful lad. I’m truly sorry for their loss and thank them for their support with the inquest process.”