The 31-year-old was seen “swaying, looking around and sweating with wet hair” before becoming unresponsive.
John Street, Sheffield(Image: Google)
A man died in a Sheffield karaoke bar while on a night out with his friends.
“Cheerful” and “loyal” Jin Chen died in The Music Box karaoke bar in John Street, Sheffield on November 26, 2024. The 31-year-old, who lived in London but was setting up a Chinese takeaway in Scotland, was seen “swaying, looking around and sweating with wet hair” before becoming unresponsive.
An inquest at Sheffield’s Medico-Legal Centre on Friday, November 14 heard Jin had been partying with friends after travelling down from Scotland. His friends called an ambulance shortly after 2am but he was pronounced dead at the scene 2.51am.
CCTV cameras at the venue were covered over for much of the friends’ time there, but police found NOS canisters, drug paraphernalia and a white powder when they investigated the scene. An autopsy confirmed Jin had taken MDMA, ketamine and NOS that night and died after overdosing on MDMA
Assistant coroner Carl Fitch concluded Jin died from MDMA toxicity.
A statement read out on behalf of Jin’s parents said he came to the UK in 2012. Jin “worked hard and persevered to improve his English”.
They said: “He had no health problems. He was a very loyal son, and his family were very close. He was cheerful every day and enjoyed life very much. He loved to play badminton and to chat with his sister.”
Medico Legal Centre in Sheffield
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Mr Fitch said: “Jin was a much-loved son, brother and friend. On this day, he attended a karaoke bar with some of those friends. The police evidence suggests there was drug paraphernalia present, including white powder and NOS canisters at the scene.
“There was also alcohol at the scene, and Jin was seen intoxicated. He had been having a good time playing games with his friends, but he was struggling to walk and stand. He was swaying, looking around and sweating with wet hair. At one point, he seemed to be chewing profusely. He did not appear to be the Jin that was known to his parents, but he appeared to be under the influence at that stage.
“He became unresponsive, and his friends did their best for him. They gave him CPR and informed emergency services, but when they arrived, there was nothing more they could do, and his death was declared at 2.51.”
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