A 25-year-old man died from a caffeine overdose after becoming severely unwell and disoriented in a Colchester street, an inquest in Essex has heard.
Alfie Goddard had purchased caffeine capsules online and taken them before he became distressed. He was later found walking barefoot, behaving erratically and vomiting blood.
Toxicology Found Fatal Caffeine Levels
Essex Coroner’s Court heard that toxicology testing detected a concentration of caffeine in Goddard’s body that was “well within the fatality bracket” associated with caffeine-related deaths.
Goddard was living in supported accommodation at International House in Colchester at the time. On the day of his death, he was reportedly seen walking in front of moving vehicles and appeared to be experiencing a severe psychotic episode.
He attempted to call 999 but was unable to communicate clearly. Staff at the accommodation subsequently contacted emergency services.
Paramedics and police attended before Goddard was taken to hospital, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and died.
Death Ruled Accidental
The inquest heard that Goddard had a history of ADHD, autism and serious mental health difficulties, including drug-induced psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia.
Coroner Lincoln Brookes concluded that Goddard’s death on October 28, 2025 was accidental.
The case highlights the potential dangers of concentrated caffeine products, particularly when taken in excessive quantities.
