Keith Flint inquest: Prodigy frontman may not have intended to kill himself, coroner rules

Singer had unspecified amounts of cocaine, alcohol and codeine in his system at time of death

A coroner has found insufficient evidence to conclude whether Prodigy singer Keith Flint intended to take his own life.

The inquest previously concluded that the 49-year-old, who was found dead at his Essex home on the 4 March, died as the result of hanging. The latest hearing added that Flint had unspecified amounts of cocaine, alcohol and codeine in his system at the time of his death.

Essex senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open conclusion and said: “We will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date.”

Flint’s family and band manager were not at the hearing, with Ms Beasley-Murray saying they were aware of it taking place. No witnesses were called to give evidence in person.

Ms Beasley-Murray said there were no suspicious circumstances and there was no third-party involvement, but she could not conclude that Flint took his own life.

She explained: “Having regard to all the circumstances I don’t find that there’s enough evidence for [suicide].”

She also found insufficient evidence to conclude the musician’s death was an accident, where he may have been “larking around and it all went horribly wrong”.

“I’m going to conclude an open conclusion,” she said. “We will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date and so that’s why I’m going to record an open conclusion.

“He clearly was extremely popular, he was much-loved by so many fans.

“It’s been very touching to see that, and of course I’m aware of the funeral service that was held in Bocking.”

She asked the coroner’s officer to express the court’s sympathy to his family and to the band manager.

Music fans travelled from as far afield as Australia to gather outside St Mary’s Church in Bocking for Flint’s funeral on 29 March, with festival flags flying and floral tributes piled up in the churchyard, including one of the band’s ant logo.

Flint rose to fame in the 1990s in the Brit Award-winning electronic band, who were known for hits including “Firestarter” and “Breathe”.

The group released their latest album No Tourists in November last year, marking their seventh consecutive No 1 record.

Flint was described in a statement by bandmates Liam Howlett and Maxim as “a true pioneer, innovator and legend”. They said he was their “brother and best friend” and “he will be forever missed”.

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