The deaths of four people in the space of 48 hours has sparked an urgent plea from police to not take drugs.
Three men and a woman have died in separate incidents in Essex yesterday and today in what officers believe is drug-related.
The first person - a man in his 20s - was found dead at an address in Leigh-on-Sea on Monday.
Hours later, a woman her 30s died in Westcliff.
Today, police said a man in his 40s was pronounced dead on Canvey Island, while a man in his 20s was found dead in Benfleet.
Essex Police have now issued an urgent warning to "not take any illegal substances at any time but particularly not at this time."
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "At this stage it is not clear if these deaths are linked but we remain open minded about that possibility and our enquiries are ongoing.
"We believe the deaths are all related to the taking of illicit drugs.
"I would urge people not take any illegal substances at any time but particularly not at this time."
An Essex Police statement added: "We are investigating following four suspected drug-related deaths in south Essex and are warning the public against taking illegal drugs.
"Yesterday (Monday July 29) a man in his 20s was found dead at an address in Leigh-on-Sea and a woman in her 30s died in Westcliff.
"Then today (Tuesday July 30) a man in his 40s died at an address on Canvey Island and a man in his 20s was found dead in Benfleet."
