Murderer died after taking drugs in prison

An inmate with an undiagnosed heart condition who was serving a life sentence for murder died after taking drugs in jail, a prisons watchdog has said,

Patryk Skupinksi was serving a minimum term of 21 years after killing his partner Marlene Doyle, 32, at their flat in Coventry in January 2022.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) said Skupinski died at HMP Gartree, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, on 29 January.

The PPO said the 38-year-old died from heart disease in combination with psychoactive substances use.

Coventry Crown Court heard during a trial Ms Doyle's body lay undiscovered for up to five days before she was found on 20 January 2022.

West Midlands Police said she had suffered domestic abuse before her death.

Skupinski's mother and two other people were also jailed for hiding him after the killing.

The PPO said Skupinski "had no known heart issues" and there had been "no suspicions of him using illicit drugs" throughout his time in prison.

An inquest heard Skupinski attended a substance misuse induction meeting in prison and was told about the dangers of using psychoactive substances.

The ombudsman said an officer unlocked Skupinski's cell just before 08:00 GMT on 29 January for morning activities.

But the officer "did not try to get a response" from the inmate "despite instructions officers should either obtain a verbal response or observe movement when unlocking prisoners."

About 20 minutes later, another prisoner found Skupinski lying on his bed unresponsive and alerted staff.

They started CPR but when paramedics arrived, he was pronounced dead just before 09:00.

The PPO said Skupinski would have been found dead earlier had the unlock policy been followed.

They added the prison's deputy governor told them managers would issue the unlock policy to each member of staff, who would be required to sign to say they had read and understood it.

Adrian Usher from the PPO, said: "While it would have made no difference to the outcome for Mr Skupinski, a proper welfare check would have meant that he was found sooner and not by another prisoner.

"Given the prison is taking action to address the issue we do not make a recommendation but experience tells us that affecting genuine and long lasting behavioural change requires maintained focus."

At the inquest, held from 9 to 13 March 2026 at Leicester Coroners' Court, the jury concluded Skupinski died by misadventure alongside a heart condition.

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