**Gifted Cardiff Researcher Dies of Prescription Drug Overdose After Mental Health Crisis**
A talented and highly respected young researcher has tragically died following a drug overdose at his Cardiff residence, an inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court has heard. Olaoluwa Alatise, known affectionately as Laolu by friends and colleagues, passed away at the age of 27 after reportedly consuming a significant amount of prescription antidepressants in an incident that has sparked broader conversations about mental health support and the experiences of young people in the creative industries.
Mr. Alatise was recognised for his intellectual vigour and commitment to social causes. Having grown up in Nigeria, he moved to the UK to pursue higher education and quickly rose to academic prominence, graduating in 2018 from Cardiff University with first-class honours in journalism, media, and English literature. His professional journey led him to Media Cymru—a consortium committed to developing the Welsh media sector—where his creative flair and commitment to improving diversity were highly valued.
According to evidence presented at the inquest, Mr. Alatise had endured ongoing challenges with mental health, including periods of depression, thoughts of self-harm, and struggles related to his sexual identity. The coroner, Andrew Morse, highlighted that Mr. Alatise had expressed reservations about coming out to his family, partly due to fears of social stigma and potential legal repercussions if he returned to his home country.
The day before the incident, Mr. Alatise approached police in a state of distress at a betting shop in Canton, west Cardiff. He was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act and assessed at the Hafan Y Coed mental health unit. During the assessment, he disclosed to doctors that he had recently been on a multiple-day binge of crystal methamphetamine, elaborating on feelings of obsession, paranoia, and disturbances in his behaviour, including exposure to extreme online content.
While the assessment concluded that Mr. Alatise did not pose an immediate suicide risk, and he was discharged with advice on seeking further assistance, concerns lingered about the sufficiency of mental health provision and the pressures faced by those contending with both personal difficulties and societal marginalisation. The next morning, Mr. Alatise contacted emergency services, informing them that he had attempted suicide by overdosing on medication and ingesting bleach. Despite being classified as a high-priority ambulance call, it was over two and a half hours before a medical team arrived at his home. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Upon forcibly entering Mr. Alatise’s home, responders found evidence of the overdose—empty blister packs of prescribed antidepressants nearby—but a post-mortem determined the bleach did not significantly contribute to his death. Notably, Mr. Alatise had left no suicide note and had made the effort to call for help prior to his passing. The coroner, considering these factors, ruled that the evidence did not definitively indicate an intention to end his life and concluded the death resulted from a drug-related incident involving intentional overdose.
Tributes from colleagues at Cardiff University underscored Mr. Alatise’s sharp intellect, activism, and unique character. Dr Andy Williams and Professor Justin Lewis described him as “a true one-off” and praised his incisive commentary and dedicated efforts to address inequality. Colleagues at Media Cymru recalled his warmth and the vital role he played in nurturing inclusivity and opportunity within the creative sector, particularly through his work on programmes aimed at helping new entrants develop innovative ideas.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the challenges confronting young adults navigating identity and belonging, especially those from marginalised backgrounds or working in high-pressure professional environments. It also raises questions about the adequacy of crisis support and the realities of mental health care provision in Wales, particularly when individuals present with complex needs.
Mr. Alatise’s death has left a profound void for all who knew him, illuminating, in the words of his university colleagues, “how much darker our collective sky becomes with the untimely loss of a bright star.” The outpouring of grief, along with calls for ongoing action on mental health, signal a community determined to ensure such loss is neither forgotten nor in vain.
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or in need of support is encouraged to contact Samaritans, who are available to help 24 hours a day, every day, by calling 116 123.