‘Fiercely intelligent’ Cardiff University graduate died after overdosing at home

A “fiercely intelligent” Cardiff University graduate has died after overdosing on prescribed medication in his home.

27-year-old Olaoluwa Alatise was found dead more than two and a half hours after reporting a suicide attempt to 999, an inquest into his death heard.

Mr Alatise graduated top of his class at Cardiff University with a first-class Bachelor’s degree in 2018, where he studied journalism, media and English literature.

Pontypridd Coroners’ Court heard he worked as a researcher for Media Cymru, a consortium aimed at growing the Welsh media sector. Colleagues described Mr Alatise as “a true one-off” and “an exceptional and beautiful human being”, reports South Wales Echo.

Coroner Andrew Morse relayed to the court that Mr Alatise had experienced issues with suicidal thoughts and self-harm in the past.

Acccording to South Wales Echo, the day before his death, September 6th 2023, Mr Alatise was detained by police under the Mental Health Act and taken to the Hafan Y Coed mental health unit.

He told a doctor he had been on “a bit of a bender” involving crystal methamphetamine, a Class A drug, over the previous three days.

Mr Alatise said he had been in an “obsessive” state, falling asleep and viewing “extreme” pornographic material which made him feel “paranoid”.

However, as he had not expressed any suicidal thoughts and his condition appeared to be “resolving”, the doctor discharged Mr Alatise. However, it was said that he was provided with “appropriate” advice on how to get further assistance if needed.

The coroner found this decision was appropriate as he had been “properly assessed”.

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The following morning, Mr Alatise contacted police to report that he had attempted suicide the previous evening. The call was categorised as an “amber one” emergency, meaning life-threatening but not immediately so, as Mr Alatise was conscious and able to speak on the call.

The Welsh Ambulance Service crew arrived two hours and 42 minutes later.

Mr Morse told the court this had to be “put in the context” of immediately life-threatening calls being received at that time. The coroner added that an alternative ambulance could have potentially arrived up to 21 minutes sooner, but he was not clear on whether this would have “made a difference” in the outcome.

After forced entry into Mr Alatise’s Canton home, his body was found surrounded by empty packets of his prescribed antidepressant pills.

A post-mortem examination revealed that his death had been caused by pills he has taken.

Mr Morse considered the possibility that the overdose was a “cry for help”, due to the absence of a suicide note and Mr Alatise’s decision to contact emergency services that morning.

Mr Alatise’s death was recorded as “drug related from an intentional overdose of prescribed medication”, as there was not enough evidence to rule the death a suicide.

Dr Andy Williams and Professor Justin Lewis, from Cardiff University’s journalism school, wrote in a tribute: “He was an eloquent, passionate, and intelligent leftist voice and campaigner for the causes of anti-racism, migrant solidarity, feminism, and queer liberation in Wales and beyond.

“One of our brightest young stars has been extinguished too soon and our night sky glows more dimly for his loss. All of the communities he was a part of feel his absence painfully. His contribution to making our world a more equal and accepting place will never be reversed.”

A tribute from Media Cymru read: “Laolu’s natural warmth and capacity to build strong working relationships flourished through his new role as an assistant research and development producer.

“His passion for championing access to the industry was most evident in his work developing the Innovation for Creatives programme. He believed strongly that Media Cymru should offer a space for individuals who were new to the sector to learn and share big ideas and very much valued being able to mix with the group and hear their stories.”

If you feel affected by this story, please speak to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.