WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT George Lusby, 22, died at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after suffering a catastrophic brain injury following a cardiac arrest in August 2025
The parents of 22-year-old George Lusby have warned “child criminal exploitation can reach any child” after their precious son’s tragic death, an inquest has heard.
George died at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after suffering a catastrophic brain injury following a cardiac arrest in August 2025. Tragically, in the last few months of his life he had begun to completely turn his life around – but he remained haunted by his past.
An inquest was told that although the medical evidence painted a picture of substance misuse and mental ill health, it represented only “one part of the story”. Parents Damon Lusby and Jane Stasiak told the court George was ‘lively, funny and intelligent, with a mop of bright orange hair’.
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His mother said he was proud of his red hair as a child, but became vulnerable after starting at Wymondham College – where annual boarding fees for sixth formers start at £17,550 – where he was bullied.
The inquest at Norwich Coroner’s Court heard that after starting at the school George was targeted and groomed by county lines drug dealers operating in the Norfolk area. His father explained how it began with his young son being tricked into carrying packages, before escalating into demands for money and threats of violence.
“George went down roads no parents want their child to go down,” he said, adding that he was intentionally exploited and threatened by adults targeting vulnerable children to act as drug runners.
Medical records showed he was diagnosed with depression in 2020 and later with PTSD, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. He struggled with night terrors and used cannabis, alcohol and non-prescribed medication to cope.
Norfolk Constabulary records from 2023 noted that George reported using drugs and alcohol as a way of managing his mental health. He had periods of estrangement from his family, including after taking money to pay drug dealers, but the inquest heard he came from a loving home and remained close to his parents and extended family.
The court heard George was referred to mental health services on multiple occasions but struggled with engagement, including non-compliance with medication and missed appointments. But despite years of trauma at the hands of drug gangs, his parents told the court that before his death George had begun to turn his life around.
In the final eight months of his life, he worked continuously in the building trade, joined a gym, passed his driving test and was saving for his future. His mum said: “His employers were delighted with him. He was working hard and making plans.”
In the week before his death, George had been in good spirits and had been offered a full-time job. His mum added: “I saw him that afternoon. He was excited, talking about the future and moving on.” His father added: “He was enjoying life again. He had optimism. But the scars of what he’d been through as a youngster were still there.”
On the evening of August 16, 2025, he went out with friends. It is believed he drank alcohol and took diazepam. George’s father said it was his belief that his son’s new-found positivity meant he was partying “too hard” and went “too far”.
At around 5pm the following day, friends found him unresponsive. CPR was started and an ambulance arrived shortly after 6pm. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance.
Doctors told the court he was frothing at the mouth, required high levels of oxygen and continued twitching despite sedation. Anti-epileptic medication was administered and he was placed in critical care. After 48 hours, his condition stabilised slightly, but repeated scans showed devastating brain injury caused by lack of oxygen during cardiac arrest.
An ECG also revealed heart abnormalities, including an enlarged right side of the heart, previously unknown to his family. Doctors concluded he would have a very poor neurological outcome. After discussions with clinicians, George’s family made the heart-breaking decision to withdraw treatment. He died at 11.15pm on August 22, 2025. His organs were later donated.
The medical cause of death was recorded as anoxic brain injury following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with aspiration of gastric contents due to alcohol and non-prescribed drugs.
Recording a conclusion of misadventure, the coroner Johanna Thompson acknowledged the complex social and medical factors in George’s life, saying: “The medical cause of death may give an impression that does not convey the full history.”
George’s tearful parents said in a statement: “Child criminal exploitation can reach any child.”
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