Camden hostel death prompts coroner warning on drug support gaps

Eden Dante Henry, 29, died of a crystal‑meth overdose on 22 March 2025 while residing in a Camden homeless hostel, the inquest confirmed. The coroner, Assistant Coroner Sarah Bourke, chaired the hearing and concluded that hostel staff failed to act on clear warning signs of his high risk of relapse, MyLondon reported.

Inquest findings highlight support failures

Henry had completed a six‑month rehabilitation programme for crystal‑meth addiction in autumn 2024. He entered the hostel on 13 March 2025, a scheme intended for people further along their recovery. The coroner said the placement was premature and that the move removed him from his substance‑misuse worker and from a testing‑focused environment, MyLondon noted.

Staff observed a “badly shaved head” on 20 March but did not refer the observation to the substance‑misuse service. On 21 March a keyworker saw Henry leaving the building, and CCTV later recorded him walking naked around the hostel. The concierge asked him to return to his room, but he barricaded himself and died the following morning, MyLondon detailed.

Responses from public bodies

The coroner warned the London Association of Directors of Public Health and England’s Chief Medical Officer that similar deaths could occur without stronger safeguards, MyLondon reported. ADPH said it would inform its network of directors and encourage a review of transition processes between treatment, housing and community services.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to produce guidance for local authorities on planning housing for people leaving residential treatment, as quoted in the MyLondon article.

Camden Council issued a statement expressing sadness at Henry’s death and reaffirmed that reducing harm for people who use drugs remains a key public‑health priority. The council added that it is introducing bespoke resources for hostel staff who support crystal‑meth users, MyLondon noted.