A Saudi prince died of misadventure in a London hotel room after consuming alcohol and the drug GHB, an inquest has determined. Prince Abdullah bin Fahad bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Jalawi al Saud, 29, was discovered deceased on the bathroom floor of his room at the Marriott Hotel in Kensington on November 25 of the previous year.
A post-mortem examination concluded that the prince suffered a cardiac arrest due to a combination of alcohol, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and other substances. An assistant coroner ruled his death a tragic misadventure, stating there was no evidence of suicidal intent.
The inquest heard that Prince Abdullah had checked into the hotel on November 19 for a week-long stay. He was last seen on CCTV leaving the hotel to smoke a cigarette on the evening before his death, returning alone.
Toxicology reports revealed a blood alcohol level of 222mg per 100ml of blood, nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit in England, and potentially fatal levels of GHB. Traces of cannabis and the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax) were also detected, along with other anti-anxiety medications at therapeutic levels.
According to court testimony, the prince had struggled with alcohol misuse and Xanax. In August of the preceding year, he underwent detoxification treatment for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and pregabalin at the Priory Clinic in Roehampton. A consultant psychiatrist testified that he had engaged well with the treatment and was discharged without concerns for his safety, though he subsequently failed to attend scheduled virtual appointments.
Following his discharge from the Priory, Prince Abdullah continued treatment at the Rainford Hall clinic. He was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection before recovering and leaving the clinic on October 14. The post-mortem examination found no underlying acute or chronic illnesses.
Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin noted that there was no evidence to suggest the prince intended to end his life, citing the absence of suicidal thoughts expressed to others, no note found, and no one else entering his room as seen on CCTV footage. The coroner offered condolences to the family.