An inquest has concluded that a Brazilian national who was struck by a train near Newton-le-Willows died by suicide, dismissing family concerns about organ harvesting and human trafficking. Samuel De Souza Frota, 23, from Sobral, Brazil, was hit by a train travelling from Preston to London on April 12 this year, less than two months after arriving in the UK.
Family's concerns raised during inquest
At Bootle Town Hall, assistant coroner Ms Elizabeth Wheeler told the court that the family, who did not attend, believed Mr De Souza Frota's death was linked to human trafficking and organ harvesting. However, CCTV from trains in the area showed him alone at the side of the railway for 15-20 minutes before his death shortly after 6.30pm. Several stills captured him moving closer to the tracks and crouching near a sign shortly before the collision.
Ms Wheeler stated that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr De Souza Frota "deliberately placed himself in front of the train". He was dressed in an aviator jacket, jeans, and chelsea boots.
Investigation finds no third-party involvement
The court heard that Mr De Souza Frota arrived in the UK on February 27, travelling from Calais to Dover before heading north. British Transport Police could not ascertain his movements in the two months before his death. A bag believed to belong to him was found near the scene, containing two "virtually empty" bottles of whiskey, a phone charger, black reading glasses, and his passport. A toxicology report found his alcohol levels were low.
Leanne Callan, a fatality investigator for British Transport Police, told the court that a forensic search of the track found no evidence of third-party involvement. When asked if there was evidence of Mr De Souza Frota being pushed, Ms Callan said: "No, the evidence does not support that. If there had been anyone in the area or any conflict we would have picked up on that." She added: "The most likely scenario is that he placed himself in front of that train. There is no evidence that he has fallen."
Note and organ harvesting claims examined
The family received a typed note believed to be written by Mr De Souza Frota before his death, but they raised concerns it was not from him. Ms Wheeler said the note's contents were "consistent with an attempt to take his own life" and contained information "that would not be widely known that Samuel knows about himself". She decided to disregard the note for the purpose of determining intent.
In social media posts, a family member claimed Mr De Souza Frota's body was stripped of organs before being thrown in front of the train. However, a post-mortem found he died from his injuries, with no organs missing other than his brain, which was attributed to the impact. Ms Callan confirmed there was no evidence to support organ harvesting.
Coroner's conclusion of suicide
Ms Wheeler concluded Mr De Souza Frota's death was suicide. She said: "He died from injuries sustained when he was struck by a train. In the 15-20 minutes before the collision, he was seen, alone, on the side of the tracks. Immediately before the collision, and still whilst alone, he deliberately walked from the side of the tracks to place himself in front of the train." She added: "There is no evidence that a third party was involved in this fatal act. It is more likely than not that Mr De Souza Frota deliberately placed himself in front of the train with the intention to end his own life."
