The family of a Darlington man who died while held by police have told a coroner’s court they want answers as the formal inquest into his death opened this week.
Short hearing at Crook Coroners Court
Crook Coroners Court heard on 27 July that Keiron Gorringe, aged 31, died on 1 April after being taken into custody in Spennymoor in the early hours. The brief hearing, conducted by Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield, established that an ambulance was called while Mr Gorringe was in his cell after he began fitting, and he was later pronounced deceased.
The coroner disclosed that a provisional post-mortem recorded the medical cause of death as the effects of cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy). Because the death occurred in police custody, the case is to be considered at a jury inquest.
Family response and investigatory status
Mr Gorringe, born in Sunderland but living in Darlington, was unemployed at the time of his death. His family described the months since as devastating, compounded by the recent death of his brother earlier in the year. The inquest was adjourned to a mention hearing on 5 January 2027.
| Key dates | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | Mr Gorringe taken into custody in Spennymoor; later pronounced dead |
| 27 July 2026 | Inquest opened at Crook Coroners Court; jury inquest ordered |
| 5 January 2027 | Mention hearing — inquest adjourned until this date |
The court was told the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting a separate probe into the circumstances of the death. The IOPC investigation was described at the hearing as ongoing and expected to take between seven and nine months to conclude.
What the family said
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Gorringe’s mother, Louise Blakey, said the family face a prolonged wait as inquiries continue and expressed concern about police handling. She said the family were relieved the inquest had begun but remained determined to secure full answers.
"I am pleased that the inquest has opened for my son Keiron today. I know that it is still going to be a long, hard road ahead until we finally get the answers we are looking for, and that wait will continue to be hard for myself and family, but we are glad it is now all underway."
The family have also acknowledged public support received via a social media page set up in Mr Gorringe’s name. No further detail was given at the opening hearing about the exact sequence of events in custody beyond the account that Mr Gorringe began fitting while in his cell.
Local implications
Deaths in police detention are rare but carry substantial local interest, prompting scrutiny of custody procedures and broader questions about how vulnerable people are supported. The forthcoming jury inquest and the IOPC investigation will both examine the circumstances surrounding Mr Gorringe’s detention and medical treatment while in custody.
- Inquest adjourned to 5 January 2027 for a mention hearing
- IOPC investigation ongoing; expected duration: seven to nine months
- Provisional post-mortem lists cocaine and MDMA as causes contributing to death
Residents seeking further updates can expect public reporting from the coroner’s court and statements from the IOPC as the inquiries progress. The family’s wish for answers now enters a formal legal process that will explore the facts and, if necessary, make recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
