A 19-year-old man has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of a woman who fell from a third-floor balcony after being threatened with machetes. Jaiden Hassan-Agard was found guilty of intimidating Tia Langdon, 25, to such an extent that she attempted to escape her situation by leaping from the 35-foot-high balcony.
Ms. Langdon suffered a broken nose after Hassan-Agard punched her. He then prevented her and her friend, Shannon McNeil, from leaving the apartment in Southampton, Hampshire. The incident occurred on August 28, 2025, after Hassan-Agard joined the women in the apartment, where they had consumed marijuana and crack cocaine. A dispute arose when Hassan-Agard accused the women of stealing approximately £250 worth of drugs.
During the confrontation, Hassan-Agard reportedly wielded two "samurai swords" and subjected both women to prolonged intimidation, threats, and violence. Winchester Crown Court heard that Ms. Langdon was "cowering in the corner" after being pulled back inside when she attempted to flee onto the balcony. In a "hysterical state," she believed jumping was her only means of escape. Ms. Langdon died in the hospital the following day.
Specialist prosecutor James Foster stated that Ms. Langdon faced a situation that left her with no safe means of escape, leading her to the balcony. The court was told that Hassan-Agard was in another room when he heard that Ms. Langdon had jumped. He then concealed drugs and fled the apartment with Ms. McNeil, whom he threatened and kidnapped to accompany him. Hassan-Agard admitted he wanted to leave because he had drugs on him.
After leaving the building, Hassan-Agard told the court that he and Ms. McNeil passed Ms. Langdon and suggested calling an ambulance. However, they stopped when a neighbor informed them that emergency services had already been contacted. The neighbor disputed Hassan-Agard's claim that they had offered to call an ambulance.
Hassan-Agard denied that the women were terrified of him or that he had frightened Ms. Langdon to death. He was found guilty of nine charges, including false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threats with a weapon in a private place, and threats to kill. In relation to Ms. McNeil, he was also convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment, threats to kill, and threats with a weapon.
"Tia Langdon lost her life because of the fear, violence and intimidation caused by Jaiden Hassan-Agard's actions," Mr. Foster said after the verdict. "He subjected Tia and another woman to threats and erratic behaviour, creating a situation which left her feeling as if she had no safe means of escape. While nobody witnessed the precise moment she fell, prosecutors proved that Hassan-Agard's conduct was a significant cause of the events which led to her death."
Mr. Foster added that Hassan-Agard compounded the suffering by refusing to seek emergency help and continuing to threaten and control Ms. McNeil. "Our thoughts remain with Tia's family and loved ones, who have had to endure the devastating consequences of his actions."