Barefoot, Vomiting: Man's Tragic Caffeine Death

A young man's life was tragically cut short due to a caffeine overdose, an inquest heard. Alfie Goddard, 25, died from cardiac arrest in hospital after consuming caffeine capsules he had purchased online. He was found in a street in Colchester, Essex, in a distressed state, walking barefoot and vomiting blood.

During the inquest at Essex Coroner's Court, a toxicology report revealed a caffeine concentration in Alfie's system that was "well within the fatality bracket." Coroner Lincoln Brookes concluded that Goddard's death on October 28, 2025, was accidental.

Goddard, who lived in supported accommodation, suffered from ADHD, drug-induced psychosis, paranoid schizophrenia, and autism. Staff members from his residential complex called emergency services when they found him attempting to call 999 but unable to communicate clearly.

Following his death, police searched his room and discovered numerous caffeine tablets. Inspector Tom Bastendorff stated his belief that these capsules led to Goddard's erratic behavior. A representative from the NHS Foundation Trust confirmed the hospital was unaware of the volume and type of caffeine Goddard was purchasing.

Alfie's sister, Daisy, described him as having an "addictive personality" and being unaware of caffeine's harmful effects. She noted his vulnerabilities made online purchases particularly dangerous, as he would "order in bulk" and become fixated on supplements, despite family efforts to control his consumption.

In her statement after the inquest, Daisy emphasized the risks of potent, unlabelled caffeine products available online, stating, "These are super-strong. with questionable origin, but because they're legal, people don't realise how dangerous they are." She remembered Alfie as kind, sensitive, and a source of laughter, who bravely faced complex mental health challenges.