Doncaster boy, 15, died from MDMA overdose - inquest

A 15-year-old boy found dead on a cycle path died from an ecstasy overdose, an inquest heard. Darius Popan collapsed on the Trans Pennine Trail in Doncaster on in July 2024 after taking MDMA with a group of friends, Doncaster Coroner's Court was told. Three people were previously arrested on suspicion of murder, but later released without charge, after injuries to Darius' body, initially thought to be suspicious, were found to have been be caused by efforts to resuscitate him. During the hearing his mother, Mihaela, said his friends had "abandoned" him, however coroner Louise Slater said their actions had not contributed to his death. The inquest heard the Don Valley Academy pupil had gone out to meet friends on his bike on 27 July, but when he failed to return home at his agreed curfew time his family became concerned. It was later established he had met with two boys and a girl, but after each of them had taken an ecstasy tablet supplied by one of the boys, Darius had left the group and cycled away. Witnesses later reported seeing him alone on the path beside the River Don between Warmsworth and Sprotbrough, with one dog walker commenting that he appeared "out of it" and "under t

Jun 8, 2026 → Jun 8, 2026