An inquest has concluded that the homeless son of millionaire parents died from an accidental drug overdose, marking a tragic end to a long history of substance abuse. Ryan Staffiere, aged 42, was discovered deceased in a pod for the homeless adjacent to County Hall in Truro, Cornwall, in February 2025.
Early Onset of Addiction
Mr Staffiere had previously disclosed to a local newspaper that his wealthy parents expelled him from the family home due to his persistent drug and alcohol issues. His descent into addiction began remarkably early, with cannabis use and alcohol abuse commencing at just eleven years old.
Throughout his teenage years, he experimented with LSD and amphetamines, and dabbled with heroin before becoming a regular user of this class A drug by his twenties. In a 2019 interview, conducted a little over five years prior to his death, he poignantly described himself as a 'good boy gone wrong'.
Family Background and Struggles
His mother, Sheila, recounted that her eldest child was exceptionally bright and athletic, showcasing talent as a rugby player. However, his educational pursuits were derailed by his escalating addiction. The family, who owned holiday cottages in Cornwall and were reported to be millionaires, watched as his life spiralled.
Mr Staffiere revealed he had sold cannabis at age fourteen and accumulated a lengthy criminal record, including jail sentences, as he financed his addictions. His family told the Cornwall Coroner's Court in Truro that he was a 'kind and caring' individual who 'loved the party life', but emphasised that 'addiction is an illness'.
Personal Tragedies and Homelessness
The court heard that Mr Staffiere was left heartbroken following the overdose death of the mother of his daughter, a loss that precipitated his descent into street homelessness. Despite numerous attempts at rehabilitation to overcome his dependencies, he struggled to break free.
In a glimmer of hope, he had previously expressed aspirations to become an advocate and volunteer to assist homeless individuals, aiming to use his experiences to help others.
Circumstances of Death
Mr Staffiere was found lifeless in his pod. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death to be a lethal dose of cocaine toxicity, which caused his heart to stop. In the days leading up to his death, he had confided in a homeless worker about suicidal thoughts, mentioning either an overdose or jumping from a viaduct.
Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances, and no suicide note was left. Assistant Cornwall Coroner Emma Hillson recorded a drug-related death, concluding that he had not intended to take his own life.
History of Overdoses
The inquest also revealed that Mr Staffiere had survived two previous overdoses in 2020 and 2023, underscoring the chronic nature of his battle with addiction. His story highlights the devastating impact of substance abuse, transcending socioeconomic boundaries and leaving a family in mourning.
