Couple's Fatal Drug Mix: Pregabalin Zombies Found Lifeless

Alan Thompson, 54, and Michelle, 51, were found lifeless in their Torquay living room by their daughter on April 18, 2024. An inquest heard that the couple had developed a dangerous dependency on pregabalin, a medication prescribed for their various medical conditions. This addiction, combined with other prescription drugs and illicit substances, led to their tragic deaths.

The couple's daughter described her parents as having become "shells of their former selves - like pregabalin zombies" due to their addiction. Alan, who had stopped working due to COPD and other health issues, and Michelle, who began taking pregabalin for chronic back pain in 2020, both rapidly developed dependencies. They escalated to obtaining additional supplies from street dealers.

Their drug use, which included cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol, intensified during the pandemic, leading to social withdrawal. By 2024, they rarely left their home. The post-mortem examination confirmed an overdose involving morphine, pregabalin, diazepam, and cannabis. The coroner ruled both deaths as drug-related, noting they had a casual attitude toward the substances and likely underestimated their lethal potential.