Lincoln teen died after taking grandmother’s painkillers

A teenage rugby player who “loved making people laugh” was found dead in his bedroom after taking tablets prescribed to his grandmother.

Sam Staple, 15, who lived with his grandparents in Tupholme, near Lincoln, took a day off school after feeling sick. A day later, on 24 September 2024, he was found dead in his bed by a family member.

A post-mortem showed Sam’s cause of death was toxicity related to strong painkillers. Assistant coroner for Greater Lincolnshire, Lindsay Tasker, gave a conclusion of death by misadventure at a hearing in Lincoln on Tuesday.

Sam, who played in a match two days before his death, was described by Lincoln Rugby Club as a “much-loved member” who was “hugely missed”.

Ms Tasker said it was “not possible on the balance of probabilities” to determine the “exact reasons he decided to take” the painkillers.

Sam suffered a minor injury from a rugby game on 22 September. However, his grandmother described him as being in a “great mood and laughing” before he took the following day off school due to feeling unwell.

Giving evidence, Det Sgt Mel Nash said that, on 23 September, voice messages were sent by Sam to a girl who thought he sounded drunk.

He also messaged a friend telling them he had taken the painkillers but asked them not to tell anyone, the police officer said.

The inquest heard that, when Sam was ill, he would often sleep for many hours, and was still thought to be sleeping when a family member checked on him on the morning of 24 September and at lunchtime.

After another family member checked on him later that day, they called for Sam’s grandmother who said she “saw him and knew he was deceased” when she went into his bedroom.

East Midlands Ambulance Service was called and Sam was pronounced dead at 15:50 BST that day.

Det Sgt Nash said Sam had searched the internet for information about the painkillers and how long it took them to work.

She told the inquest there was no evidence of any third party involvement and he “appeared to be in a very loving home with his grandparents”.

“It was likely he didn’t know the effects [of the painkillers] or that it could be fatal,” added Det Sgt Nash.

A statement read on behalf of Sam’s mother said: “He always came across as being happy, a little stressed with school but always in a positive mood.”

The inquest heard Sam had struggled with bullying at a previous school but had made a new start when he moved to De Aston School in Market Rasen in 2023.

Sam’s grandmother said he “blossomed immediately” there and “loved making people laugh”.

She said he had “an unbreakable bond with his sister”.

Sam was a Lincoln RFC U16 player and a keen supporter of Stockport County FC and Wasps.

In a social media post, Lincoln Rugby Club previously described Sam as a “funny, cheeky, larger than life character and an incredibly special young man.”

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time,” the club added.

The Sam Staple Memorial Fund has been set up in honour of Sam, created by his family and the Lincoln RFC U16 Coaching team.

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