On June 18, 2023, Cameron Brooksbank, 24, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at an address in Middleton, Rochdale, Greater Manchester. An inquest revealed that he had cocaine and five prescription drugs in his system. Despite the mix of substances, the coroner concluded that Brooksbank did not intend to take his own life and ruled his death a result of misadventure.
Cameron had previously become known for his bravery after testifying against a crime gang boss, leading to a significant conviction. The incident that changed his life occurred in 2017 when, as a teenage tree surgeon, he intervened in a road rage incident in Rochdale. This led to a brutal axe attack by gangster Habibur Rahman and high-ranking drug dealer Mohammed Awais Sajid. As a result, Cameron suffered severe injuries, including an almost fully severed hand, which required multiple surgeries.
His testimony against Sajid and the gang is highlighted in BBC's true-crime documentary "The Detectives," leading to Sajid's 18-year prison sentence. The gang was involved in large-scale drug operations in Greater Manchester.
At the inquest, Cameron’s struggles after the attack were detailed, including his battles with depression and drug use. His mother, Claire, and grandfather, Fred Higgin, spoke about the profound and lasting impact of the attack on his life.
Following the inquest, Greater Manchester Police and Cameron's mother paid tribute to him, acknowledging his bravery and the tragic toll the attack had taken on his life.