Update 8 April 2021: This inquest has now concluded. See media coverage of the inquest and conclusions here. 

1 April 2021

Before Dr Shirley Radcliffe Coroner
Inner West London Coroner’s Court (remote access only)
Opening 7 April 2021, expected to last 2 days

Cristian Vallejo, 31, was a Colombian national, resident in the UK. He was found unresponsive by members of the public in London’s Green Park at 10.30am on 9 July 2019. He had died on from postural asphyxia and drug intoxication and toxicity, whilst on leave from a mental health hospital and subject to a Community Treatment Order.

Cristian had a history of mental ill health and was under the care of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust mental health services. An inquest into his death opens on Wednesday 7 April 2021.

Cristian was born in Columbia and lived in the UK. His partner describes him as affable, good natured and considerate. Cristian was a loving and kind person who, prior to his mental ill health had volunteered with Independent Age to provide support to the elderly.  For a young man, Cristian had rather traditional habits and interests, particularly those connected to his Colombian heritage. He was a keen Cumbia dancer.

Cristian had a long-standing diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. His use of cannabis resulted in psychotic relapse, and he was known to mental health services as a vulnerable adult who had had previous hospital admissions.

On 24 June 2019, Cristian attended St Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department and was seen there by a psychiatric liaison nurse. He reported auditory hallucinations telling him to kill himself, and suicidal thoughts. Cristian was admitted to Gordon Hospital on 25 June 2019 as an informal psychiatric patient.

On 3 July, Christian was allowed one week of informal leave to live at St Mungo’s hostel, Harrow Road, under the care of the Home Treatment Team with daily visits. St Mungo’s considered him a client of concern and made arrangements to check on him at least three times in every 24 hours.

At the time of his death Cristian was subject to a Community Treatment Order (CTO) and he was receiving depot injections daily. The last visit was by a mental health nurse and trainee nurse on evening of 8 July. He told them that he was hearing voices but had no plans to take his own life.  

The inquest, whilst not engaging Article 2, will be looking at the period of care from 24th June 2019 until his death on 9 July 2019.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, a photograph of Cristian, and to note your interest, please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected]

The family is represented pro bono by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Craig Knightley of Tees Law Solicitors and Ross Beaton of 7 Bedford Row. Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust are an interested party at the inquest.

In November 2020, an inquest into the death of Haydon Croucher who was under the care of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, came to critical conclusions, finding his death was avoidable.

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.