Courts

Celebrity hairstylist Darren Lacken died of cocaine overdose, inquest hears

Co-owner of Temple Bar salon found dead in bedroom of family home in Cabra, Dublin

Darren Lacken: died from cocaine overdose. Photograph via Instagram

Seán McCárthaigh
Fri Feb 10 2023 - 13:55

Well-known Dublin hairstylist Darren Lacken died as a result of a cocaine overdose at his family home 14 months ago, an inquest has heard.

Postmortem results revealed at a sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court showed the award-winning stylist and co-owner of Crow Street Collective salon in Temple Bar in Dublin had “lethal levels” of the drug in his body.

The hairdresser, who worked with leading models and celebrities including Alexa Chung, Phillip Treacy, Cara Delevingne, Vogue Williams, Angela Scanlon and Roz Purcell, died suddenly at his family home at Killala Road, Cabra West on November 17th, 2021.

Mr Lacken (41) from Griffin Close, Clondalkin was discovered in an unresponsive state in a bedroom at about 4pm by his mother, Betty.

READ MORE

Detective Garda Brendan Cafferkey gave evidence that there was nothing suspicious or any sign of foul play in relation to Mr Lacken’s death.

The coroner, Aisling Gannon, said cocaine was a drug that could cause an irregular heartbeat which can result in sudden death. Ms Gannon observed that Mr Lacken had died from “acute cocaine toxicity.”

While postmortem results had shown the deceased had early signs of cardiac fibrosis and fatty liver disease, the coroner said they were not a factor in his death.

As there was no evidence to suggest Mr Lacken’s death was an intentional act, the coroner returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

LATEST STORIES