Essex 'drugs' deaths: Victim Cian Daly described as 'loving' and 'popular'
Cian Daly's friends have set up a fundraising page in his memory after the聽20-year-old died at his home in Leigh-on-Sea on Monday.
Thursday 1 August 2019 17:57, UK
A man who died after taking suspected drugs has been described as "loving" and "popular" and someone who "always wanted to help people".
Cian Daly, 20, is one of six people who have lost their lives in a three-day period in recent days following apparent class A drug use in Essex.
His friends have set up a fundraising page in his memory after he died at his home in Leigh-on-Sea on Monday.
A "ride out" in Southend is being planned on 10 August to honour the motorbike and car enthusiast.
Money will be used for a memorial bench in local woods and to support his family. Nearly £2,500 has been raised so far.
His family said: "Cian was very loving and always everyone's best mate. He was cheeky and popular, and everyone liked him.
"As a boy he was really good at athletics, joined the local football team and cadets, and went to a boxing club.
"As he got older, he had a passion for motorbikes, cars and fishing. Cian put 100% into everything and he could have done anything.
"He was the type of person who always had to be doing something, he wouldn't just sit around. He lived a full and varied life, and he did that to the end.
"He was a bit of a free spirit and just wanted to help people. If anyone had a problem, he would drop everything for them."
His death is one of six in south Essex between Sunday and Tuesday that police believe could be related to drug use in the area.
Three men and three women have died:
- Sunday - A woman in her 30s died in Southend
- Monday - Cian Daly, 20, died in Leigh-on Sea
- Monday - A woman in her 30s died in Westcliff
- Tuesday - A man in his 40s died on Canvey Island
- Tuesday - A man in his 20s was found dead in Benfleet
- Tuesday - A woman in her 40s died on Canvey Island
Police have cautioned against describing the drugs as a "bad batch" as the nature of the substance involved is not yet known.
Officers have urged anyone considering taking class A drugs not to do so.
And Public Health England has told drug users to be "extra careful" about what they are taking.
:: Anyone with information about the deaths or the sale of class A drugs is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.