Student, 19, drowned in a drainage ditch on Christmas Eve after overdosing on opioids he ordered online, inquest hears

Published: 06:57 EDT, 30 October 2026 | Updated: 07:07 EDT, 30 October 2026 A student drowned in a drainage ditch on Christmas Eve after taking opioids he ordered online, an inquest has heard.Adam Griffin, 19, went missing on December 24 last year after returning to his family home in Yatton, Somerset, for the festive period following a relationship break-up.After receiving a package in the morning, he left home, and when he didn't return later that evening, his family began to look for him.Still unable to get hold of him, they called the police in the early hours of Christmas Day to report him missing.On Boxing Day, a member of the public reported finding a black bumbag containing empty blister packs by a field near the Strawberry Line long-distance footpath close to his home. Officers searched the field and found Adam's body in a drainage ditch, where he had drowned.He had reeds from the bank of the ditch in his hands, the inquest at Avon Coroner's Court heard. A toxicology report found that Adam, who was in his second year at the University of Leicester, had taken more than the therapeutic dose of an opioid from the packet he ordered. Adam Griffin, 19, drowned in a drainage ditch after taking opioids he ordered online, an inquest heardWhen police searched Adam's room, they found that the parcel had a variety of drugs, including the one that he had overdosed on.In a statement, Acting Police Sergeant Connor Underhill said: 'We were concerned that this was a suicide kit.'We know Adam had recently gone through a break-up, so we think it is likely that this was an attempt to take his own life.'On the day before he vanished, Adam had gone shopping with his family and bought his 'favourite things' for the Christmas meal and, later on, wrapped up presents and put them under the tree.In a statement, Adam's family said that their son, who was a keen footballer and had played for Yatton & Cleeve United, was 'sensitive and caring'.'Adam was a loving and lovable young man,' they said.'He had a lot of friends, and he seemed to be happy to be home for Christmas, even if he had been a little subdued at the start.'We are devastated and dumbfounded about what happened.'Since Adam's death, his former football club has raised more than £4,000 for a charity which provides mental health support to young people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.Coroner Debbie Rookes said she could not be certain that Adam had attempted suicide because he did not leave a note, had not expressed plans to kill himself, and could have grasped the reeds in an attempt to lift himself out of the ditch.Instead, she delivered a narrative verdict, saying: 'Adam died from freshwater drowning while under the influence of opioids. His intent cannot be ascertained.'It remains for me to offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.'For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support