Software Engineer's Fall From Balcony Ruled Accidental Inquest Hears
An inquest has heard that a software engineer who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Malta may not have realized he was falling.
A software engineer may not have known he was falling to his death from a balcony, an inquest has heard.
Kieran Hughes, 25, died in the early hours of July 11, 2025, while on holiday in St Julian's, Malta, with three friends. A post-mortem examination by Maltese authorities found a "substantial level" of alcohol in his blood.
The inquest at Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard there was no evidence of third-party involvement, and coroner Elizabeth Dudley-Jones concluded his death was an accident.
Hughes and his friends had been drinking beer, cocktails, and limoncello on the evening of July 10 before leaving their hotel around 7 p.m. BST. At approximately 4:15 a.m. on July 11, a member of the public found Hughes lying on the ground outside the Cavalieri Art Hotel.
Police found Hughes "in a pool of blood" and appearing "lifeless." Officers went to room 603, above where Hughes' body was found, and spoke to his friend, Osian Jones, who was asleep and smelled of alcohol. Hughes and Jones had been sharing the room.
CCTV footage showed Hughes and Jones returning to their room, holding onto each other, with no signs of animosity. There were no reports of shouting or arguing between them. Approximately 48 minutes after returning to the room, CCTV captured Hughes' fall.
An autopsy concluded that Hughes died from multiple injuries due to blunt force trauma resulting from a fall from height. The absence of apparent resistance injuries led investigators to believe it was possible he was not aware he was falling.
The inquest heard that it was probable Hughes, in a state of "severe drunkenness," went outside, possibly feeling unwell or seeking fresh air, and fell from the balcony.
Coroner Dudley-Jones described Hughes' death as a "complete tragedy." Hughes' father, Alan, told the inquest that the family had endured "heartache all day, every day" and faced "hurdle after hurdle" in dealing with Maltese authorities.
Friends remembered Hughes as a high achiever, calling him "a legend and a genius."