An inquest revealed on Thursday that a Saudi Prince’s death in a high-end London hotel was caused by a lethal mix of drugs and alcohol, leading to cardiac arrest.
The deceased, Abdullah bin Fahad bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Jalawi al Saud, aged 29, had a blood alcohol level nearly three times above the legal drink-drive limit. Additional substances detected included gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Xanax, as presented at a London coroner’s court and reported by The Telegraph.
His blood alcohol concentration registered at 0.222%, vastly surpassing the UK’s permissible limit of 0.08%.
The tragic discovery was made by a maid who found the prince in the bathroom of his $800-per-night room at the elegant Marriott Hotel in Kensington, London, on November 25 of last year.
Despite quick arrival, paramedics were unable to revive him, and he was declared dead at the site.
The court also heard that just three months prior to his death, al Saud was an inpatient at the Priory Clinic in Roehampton, where a single week’s stay can cost up to $47,000.
Dr. Victoria Chamorro, a consultant psychiatrist, said in a statement that he had “engaged well” with his detox treatment at the Priory, which “proceeded without physical side effects,” The Telegraph reported.
He was there to detox from alcohol, benzodiazepines and the anti-anxiety drug pregabalin, the outlet noted.
“He was supportive and kind to his peers, making friends,” Chamorro said.
“He was assessed as having symptoms of low mood and anxiety on admission,” she wrote.
“When he was discharged, he was considered not to be at risk of suicide. He was discharged with a friend but then failed to attend scheduled Zoom appointments.
“Nevertheless, there was no concern for him. He engaged well and completed his treatment,” she added.
After the Priory, al Saud also underwent another round of treatment at the $9,200 Rainford Hall clinic in St. Helens, Merseyside.
He reportedly recovered and left the facility on October 14.
A post-mortem examination determined that the royal had suffered cardiac arrest. He was not suffering from any acute or chronic illnesses.
He was last seen on CCTV footage going outside to smoke a cigarette.
British authorities believe that he did not intend to kill himself.
“Passed to the mercy of God Almighty His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Al Saud, outside the Kingdom, and will be prayed for today, Tuesday, 11/6/1447 AH, after the Asr prayer at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh,” the Saudi Royal Court said in a statement after his passing.
“May Allah bless him with His mercy, forgiveness and acceptance, and grant him a spacious abode in His Paradise, for we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”