A 20-year-old man who jetted off on a Spanish party holiday with his mate was discovered dead in his hotel room after the pair had left a famous nightclub feeling sick, an inquest was told.
Stan-Lee Connor travelled to Ibiza with his pal on Tuesday, July 1, this year, for a six-night break, but on the second evening of their getaway, he appeared to become ill.
The pair had been at the famous nightclub Amnesia when Stan, as he was known to his loved ones, consumed MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and became unwell. He and his companion then caught a taxi from the popular venue to their accommodation, Aparthotel Vibra Monterrey, at around 3am.
Senior Coroner for Liverpool and Wirral Andre Rebello heard evidence from coroner’s assistant Catherine Grey explaining how Stan, from Birkenhead, had a shower when the friends returned to their hotel. Stan stayed awake whilst his mate dozed off, awakening at 9am to discover Stan, described as yellow in appearance, “unresponsive on his left side on the floor.”
He rushed to reception for assistance and an ambulance was summoned. At 9.15am on July 3, Spanish police officers arrived and entered the room to discover Stan on the floor and unresponsive.
The inquest today, Monday, heard a toxicology report revealed Stan had consumed MDMA, cocaine and aspirin resulting in cardiological death.
Upon being informed of Stan’s death, his mum, Tammy, and sisters Ellie and Sally visited Birkenhead Police Station where they reported he died in Spain. Merseyside Police launched an investigation working alongside Spanish authorities, though no evidence suggested any criminal activity had taken place.
Mr Rebello confirmed there was no indication of violence between Stan and his companion, reports the Liverpool Echo.
After Stan’s body was brought back to the UK, a post-mortem examination at Arrowe Park Hospital determined his death was caused by mixed drug toxicity involving MDMA, cocaine and aspirin.
During the hearing, Stan’s mother challenged the inquest’s scope and questioned the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. However, Mr Rebello said: “From the Spanish police report and from the Merseyside Police report there is no evidence that any drugs were forced on Stan-Lee.
“I am going to conclude that Stan-Lee has died from a drug related death. The drugs have caused his death.”
Stan’s sister, Sally, honoured her brother outside the Gerard Majella Courthouse, saying: “We want to celebrate Stan. His funeral was amazing and it was a celebration. Everyone showed up, it was a lovely day and the skies were blue, the sun was shining.”
In a tribute released to the ECHO earlier this year from the family, penned by his sisters Ellie and Sally, they said: “We lost our beautiful younger brother and son, Stan-Lee Connor, a kind-hearted soul whose heart overflowed with love, and whose life held so much promise. His sudden and heartbreaking passing in Ibiza at just 20 years old has left an immeasurable void in our lives.
“Stan wasn’t just our brother, he was the light in our family. He brought warmth, laughter, and kindness wherever he went, and his presence made everything brighter.
“Stan was a proud and passionate supporter of Everton Football Club, loyal through every win and every heartbreak. He also found deep comfort in music, especially the timeless sounds of Pink Floyd. Their lyrics became a lifeline, especially after the heartbreaking loss of our dad last year. Music gave Stan strength, and in those melodies, he began to find his way back to peace.”
Ellie, 28, revealed to the ECHO how Stan had recently secured his own accommodation and had just begun a fresh role at a manufacturing plant.
She explained: “He just got a flat for the first time, he was doing his driving lessons and had just bought his first car.
“He had a new job and everything was looking up. He was just starting his life properly but he didn’t get a chance.”