Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Josh Salisbury

Jamal Edwards: Entrepreneur died of cardiac arrest after taking cocaine, coroner rules

Music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards died of a cardiac arrest after taking cocaine, a coroner has ruled.

The DJ, who found fame after setting up the music platform SBTV in 2006, died on February 20 at the age of 31.

His behaviour became "erratic" and he "appeared paranoid" after he returned home from playing a set in Islington at about 4.30am, West London Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.

Assistant coroner Ivor Collett concluded the cause of death was drug-related.

Jamal Edwards died in February after a heart attack (Getty Images)

The record of inquest said: "After drinking some alcohol with a friend, his behaviour changed and became erratic and he appeared paranoid, before he collapsed and became unconscious.

"Attempts at resuscitation failed and life was declared extinct at 10.36am at 2 Highfield Road, London.

"Sampling established recent cocaine use, causing cocaine toxicity and resulting cardiac arrhythmia."

Tributes poured in across the music industry for Edwards, the son of musician and Loose Women host Brenda Edwards, after his untimely death.

He helped to launch the careers of a string of household names, including Ed Sheeran, Dave and Jessie J.

Ed Sheeran with Jamal Edwards (Jamal Edwards)

He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 was awarded an MBE for his services to music.

The inquest, which began in June, had previously heard that Edwards died due to “cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs”.

His mother said it is important to "help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs".

She thanked everyone for the support the family had received after his death, saying: "We have been so incredibly touched by the outpouring of love and support, and you are all helping us try and get through the unimaginable.

Brenda Edwards (Loose Women)

"Since I last spoke, I have sadly learned that the cause of Jamal’s devastating passing was due to cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs, and I wanted to address this myself to everyone who loved, admired and respected my son.

"Since finding out the news I’ve been in a state of shock, and I’m still trying to process it, but it’s so important to me that I do address it, as no mother or any loved one should have to go through what Jamal’s sister Tanisha and I have been through since he passed."

In February, Ed Sheeran was among those leading tributes to Edwards, writing on Instagram: “His light shone so bright. He only used it to illuminate others and never asked for anything in return.

"A stars light shines for millions of years after they go, and his will continue to light up every dark moment, we are all witnessing his power.

"I would not be here without him, professionally and personally.

"There will never be anything close to what he is, but I’m so grateful to have existed within his orbit. My brother, come on.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.