Man found dead in tent on Eastbourne beach

Paul Goodman was found dead in a tent on Cow Gap beach on August 26 2019, an inquest heard.

The inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall on Thursday (May 13), heard Mr Goodman, a bricklayer who had come to stay with friends in Eastbourne from his home in London, had a history of depression and anxiety.

Toxicology reports revealed Mr Goodman had a number of drugs in his system including a high level of heroin and MDMA.

Dr Omar Moonan, his GP, told the inquest Mr Goodman had been referred to the community mental health teams and community drug and alcohol abuse services in January 2019.

Dr Moonan said although Mr Goodman was on weekly medication, he didn’t engage with the services offered to him.

Detective sergeant Jonathan Moore said he attended Cow Gap around 2pm on August 26 and Mr Goodman, who was found west of the steps down to the beach, was confirmed dead at the scene.

A serious incident report carried out concluded there was no single root cause to his death, and the interventions offered were appropriate.

Reflecting on the report, East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said the care plan could have been improved, but the care Mr Goodman got can’t be criticised.

Mr Craze said, “Nothing the services did or didn’t do have contributed to his death.”

He ruled Mr Goodman died from multiple drug toxicity due to a dependence on drugs.