A convicted killer found hanged in his cell in Strangeways left a note saying 'my head is gone and no-one can help me', an investigation into his death found.
Lee Hopkinson, who was jailed for the manslaughter of Raymond Dixon in Bury, took his own life in HMP Manchester in February 2022. The 33-year-old, who had a long history of drug problems and had previously been suspected of brewing 'hooch' in his cell, had drunk a 'significant' amount of alcohol before his death, a toxicology report found.
Background to the manslaughter
Hopkinson was jailed in 2019 for the manslaughter of Raymond Dixon in Bury. Mr Dixon, 50, was beaten to death by drug-addicted thug Edward Fitzgerald at his home in Myrtle Street North.
It came after Hopkinson spread a 'scurrilous rumour' about the 50-year-old being a paedophile then recruited Fitzgerald and Anthony Dennison to help him rob the 'vulnerable' and 'frail' man. After Fitzgerald attacked Mr Dixon, Hopkinson and Dennison searched his home for things to sell, taking a 40-inch TV, a Playstation and other valuables. They then spent the money on drugs.
Manchester Crown Court heard that before his death Mr Dixon, who lived alone, had recently made friends with his next door neighbour. He told the neighbour about Hopkinson, who he said would regularly turn up at his home just before his benefits were paid.
Hopkinson would tell him that he had nowhere to go because his girlfriend had thrown him out, and they would share drugs purchased with the benefits. Mr Dixon described Hopkinson as 'ruthless', and told his neighbour he was concerned for his own safety.
"This was a very prescient comment, because that is exactly what would happen on February 11, and would lead to him losing his life," Judge Richard Mansell KC said.
In August 2019 Hopkinson, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 13 years after admitting manslaughter. Fitzgerald, of Walmersley Road, Bury, was sentenced to a life sentence to serve a minimum of 23 years having admitted murder. Dennison, of no fixed address, received a five-year sentence after pleading guilty to robbery.
Investigation findings
The PPO investigation into Hopkinson's death found he had been assaulted by fellow inmates seven weeks earlier, and a few days before his death told relatives he had been attacked in the showers. There were also reports he was being bullied over debts.
There were numerous reports of him using spice and prescription medication, thought to have either been stolen or bought from other prisoners, during his time in jail. When he arrived at Strangeways Hopkinson, who had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and said he had previously attempted suicide at Forest Bank, told staff he wanted protection because there was a 'price on his head' for his use of drugs such as spice.
He was found hanged in his cell at 8.30am on February 17, 2022. In the pocket of a jacket he owned staff found five letters addressed to his family. In them he told them he loved them, said he was sorry and wrote 'my head is gone and [no] one can help me'.
Inquest and ombudsman's concerns
An inquest in December 2023 ruled the cause of death to be hanging. In a narrative conclusion, the jury said Hopkinson died as a result of suicide.
In her report, Ombudsman Kimberley Bingham, wrote it was 'troubling' that Hopkinson had been able to get his hands on alcohol and drugs 'with apparent ease' while in Strangeways. She said his death was a 'clear indicator' more needs to be done to reduce the availability of drugs and alcohol in the prison.
She also raised concerns that the attack on Hopkinson seven weeks before his death was not 'properly investigated'.
