An inquest has heard about the tragic death of a popular young man who stabbed himself in the chest after mistakenly believing the vest he wore was stab-proof.
Jordan Easton, from Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, was in the kitchen at one of his friend’s parents on August 23 when he turned a knife on himself. It was just five days after his 22nd birthday.
He died from the stab wound to his chest at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, the Teeside Gazette reports.
No further action was taken after a police investigation was launched.
Jordan’s inquest heard the 22-year-old had been out with friends when the tragedy occurred.
Jordan said he was wearing a ‘stab-proof vest’.
Karin Welsh, Teeside assistant coroner, said:
While in the kitchen, he took hold a knife to demonstrate it was stab-proof and sadly realised it wasn’t the case.
The coroner told the inquest Jordan was rushed to hospital, but ‘despite the best efforts of the medical professionals, they were unable to save him’. While Jordan’s injuries were ‘self-inflicted’, she said there was no evidence he intended to hurt himself.
Detective Superintendent Ted Butcher, from Cleveland Police’s major investigation team, confirmed various witnesses and Jordan’s family had been spoken to.
DSI Butcher said:
…while Jordan may have had his issues in the past, he seemed to have settled down.
DSI Butcher confirmed all the witnesses gave consistent accounts about what had happened which was subsequently proven by toxicology and other reports. Jordan had died after ‘a boisterous act’.
Devastated, Jordan’s mum Alison Price told the inquest she found it ‘hard to believe the concept that Jordan would consciously do that’.
She continued:
It’s more possible if it was bravado, showing off in front of lads, but where a mother and a young girl were, it’s out of character for him. I can’t absorb it.
The assistant coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure.
She defined a misadventure verdict as when a person embarks on a course of action but doesn’t intend the consequences.
Adding:
It seems clear that’s the situation with Jordan.
Social media was inundated with tributes to the young man who was always smiling and had a ‘golden heart’.
A childhood friend said:
Everyone on the estate got on with him and loved him.
Our thoughts are with Jordan’s family and friends at this difficult time.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Tim Horner is a sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated with a BA Journalism from University College Falmouth before most his colleagues were born. A previous editor of adult mags, he now enjoys bringing the tone down in the viral news sector.