Overview
- At the inquest, Coroner Li Hammer-Naylor concluded that Michael Heath took his own life after he fell from an A500 bridge and was struck by a heavy goods vehicle.
- The coroner said messages sent to his family, friends and partner showed he intended to die, meeting the balance-of-probabilities test used in coroners’ courts.
- Evidence outlined the night’s timeline, including gambling at Hanley’s Grosvenor Casino, a reported £3,000 loss, a cash transfer to keep playing, and Snapchat data placing him near Porthill roundabout before the bridge.
- A toxicology report found alcohol and cocaine in his system, and the cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries from the road collision.
- Family and friends said he had improved after a 2020 overdose and diagnosis of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, though he was worried about returning to his night-shift job at bet365 after sickness leave.