A "bright man" with a promising future died in a drug-related death, a coroner has ruled.

Rudolf Slobins was 27 when he was found dead in his bedroom by his flat mates at their home in Battersea Park Road.

Mr Slobins, originally from Latvia, was an intern in London at the time of his death but he had been studying for a DPhil in English Literature at Oxford University.

He did not turn up for work on March 8 and his flat mates went to look for him, finding him in his bed in a "frog-like" position with white powder near him.

Wandsworth Times:

Rudolf Slobins

His flatmate Miriam Hibbard said: "Rudolf was an unusual personality, he was intensely creative and articulate.

"He was probably the most intelligent person any of us ever met.

"I think there were periods in my history of knowing him where he clearly suffered from low moods."

Dr Hibbard said she knew he took MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines, sleeping tablets and had smoked heroin.

She said she and a friend were alerted on March 8 that he did not go to work and went into his room.

She said: "I took one look at him and said 'I think he is dead.'

"I then thought do I need to think about CPR.

"I went back in and checked and he was not breathing, I could not feel a pulse.

"He was cool but not cold."


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PC Warren from Earlsfield station was the officer at the scene and said he found bottles including one marked 'Rush' formally a legal high, snap bags with white powder and deodorant bottles in Mr Slobin's room alongside clothes and pieces of paper.

Mr Slobin had a history of depression and had been treated with medication and counselling in the past.

A toxicology report revealed low levels of blood alcohol and urine alcohol but high levels of gammahydroxybutrate (Ghb), a former legal high, consistent with people who have sought to take their own lives.

He had cocaine in his stomach.

In his conclusion, Dr William Dolman, sitting at Westminster coroner's court, said: "Here was a young man who was a high flier.

"He was clearly a drug misuser for his own entertainment and enjoyment.

"How sad that a man of such intelligence did not realise the dangers he was in.

"It is sad to say he was the author of his own demise.

"One only hopes it is a lesson to others."

Dr Dolman returned a medical cause of death as drug-related.