The inquest examined the tragic circumstances that led to Josh’s death including his four-year battle with ketamine addiction.

He sadly died on March 14 2025 – declared dead at the scene after falling from the 19th floor of a car park in Liverpool.

The beloved son and brother had grown up surrounded by a close-knit family and had been a “golden child”.

Natasha told the court how Josh had won multiple rugby awards as a keen youth player for the Warrington Wolves league team and was described by others as “a beautiful boy”.

But aged 17, their “adored” son became addicted to the class B drug, which left him dissociated like a “walking space man”.

In November 2024, after the substance had put strain on his relationships with his family, Josh was diagnosed with ketamine-induced uropathy.

The painful condition is known as “ketamine bladder” and causes sufferers to urinate frequently.

His mum recalled how sometimes she would ask Josh to leave the house when he was high, as she was worried about the influence on his younger sister.

Ketamine usage has soared in the UK in recent years, and Natasha warned of the “heartache” it can cause.

Statistics from the ONS show as many as 5 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds admitted to having tried the drug in 2023, with use of the subtance more than doubling in the past year.

Coroner Helen Rimmer was told that before his tragic death in March, Josh had attended an eight-week rehabilitation programme.

His family were hopeful for his future but in the days before his death concerns were raised that he had relapsed.

Driving her son to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting just days after his release from rehab, Natasha became concerned he had used the drug again.

After she packed his clothes up, he booked a room at a hotel in the centre of Liverpool.

Natasha exchanged a final text conversation with her son on the day he died, in which she said she was worried he would be “really ill” again.

Later that day, Josh was found lying between parked vehicles on the ground of the multi-storey car park.

Parramedics arrived around 6.20pm, finding Josh with “significant head trauma” and declaring him dead at the scene.

Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector James Halpin told the court CCTV footage appeared to show Josh “unsteady on his feet” before he fell.

Toxicology reports later confirmed ketamine had been in his system on the night he died.

Heartbroken mother Natasha was adamant her son’ had not intended to ‘s death had been accidental.

She said Josh “would never have taken his own life” and had not expressed suicidal thoughts.

He had also made plans to meet friends for coffee the next day, and had left clothes laid out on his bed – suggesting he planned to return to the hotel room.

Natasha further suggested that the railings at the car park were “insufficient” and requested greater safety measures “to prevent further tragedies”.

The court heard the railings met legal requirements, though the coroner noted she would issue a “prevention of future death” report calling for greater clarity on safety regulations.

Coroner Rimmer recorded a narrative conclusion, stating she could not be sure Josh intended to take his own life because ketamine may have impacted his cognitive function.

She said: “Having consumed ketamine, which more likely than not influenced Joshua’s cognitive functioning, it cannot be established that he intended to take his own life.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.