A 25-year-old man from Colchester died of cardiac arrest after accidentally overdosing on legal caffeine tablets bought online, an inquest ruled this week. Alfie Goddard took a large number of caffeine capsules on 28 October 2025 and was later found walking barefoot in a delirious state, vomiting blood in the street.

He was taken to hospital but died the same day. Toxicology found a caffeine concentration described at the inquest as being well within the fatality bracket associated with caffeine-related deaths.

Inquest Hears Details of Fatal Caffeine Overdose

Alfie Goddard lived with ADHD, autism, paranoid schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis in supported accommodation at International House, Colchester.

On the day he died he tried to call 999 during a psychotic episode but could not speak clearly, so staff summoned help.

Paramedics and police found him walking in front of moving cars. He was restrained and taken to hospital, where he suffered a cardiac arrest.

A search of his room uncovered an array of caffeine tablets he had purchased online. Inspector Tom Bastendorff of Essex Police said the seized capsules contained caffeine and he believed they led to the erratic behaviour.

Toxicology placed the concentration well within the fatality bracket linked to caffeine-related deaths.

Craig Capener of the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said clinicians had not known the quantities or types of product he was buying.

Read more

Sister Describes Addictive Personality and Online Buying

Daisy Goddard told the court her brother had an addictive personality and was unaware of caffeine's harmful effects. His vulnerabilities made it dangerous when he could buy products he wanted online. He ordered in bulk and became fixated on various supplements and health products despite family attempts to moderate consumption.

Coroner Brookes said Alfie Goddard inadvertently died of caffeine toxicity having taken a large number of caffeine tablets at home earlier that day. He had been diagnosed for years with paranoid schizophrenia, autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD against a background of polysubstance misuse.

Daisy described him as kind and sensitive, saying the family missed him every day. He faced complex mental health challenges but was resilient. Daisy said she believed his autism and ADHD contributed to his vulnerability to substance misuse, including caffeine and health supplements.

Legal Tablets Sold With Little Warning

Caffeine supplements are legal in the UK, but high doses can pose serious health risks. Daisy Goddard said her brother had not fully understood the dangers of concentrated caffeine products and warned about how easily high-strength tablets and powders can be purchased online. UK food-safety guidance advises consumers to check the caffeine content and recommended dose carefully.

International House staff said Alfie is greatly missed and they have created a memorial garden where friends and family can remember him.

The inquest conclusion has again highlighted how concentrated caffeine sold as ordinary tablets can prove fatal when taken in quantity by someone unaware of the risk involved. Hospital staff and police confirmed the capsules were recovered after the collapse. The coroner recorded the death as accidental.

Family members continue to warn that legal status does not equal safety for high-strength caffeine products purchased without medical oversight.

Read more