Mystery Unfolds: Convicted Killer Found Deceased in Strangeways Prison
Convicted killer Lee Hopkinson took his own life in HMP Manchester, leaving a distressing note after a history of drug problems and reports of bullying in prison. An investigation revealed troubling access to alcohol and drugs within the facility and concerns about the handling of prior inmate assaults, prompting calls for urgent prison reform.
A convicted killer, Lee Hopkinson, who was incarcerated for the manslaughter of Raymond Dixon, was discovered hanged in his cell at HMP Manchester, commonly known as Strangeways, in February 2022. An investigation into his death revealed that Hopkinson, 33, had left a note stating, 'my head is gone and no-one can help me.' A toxicology report further indicated that he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol prior to his death, aligning with his long history of drug problems and previous suspicions of brewing 'hooch' in his cell.
Hopkinson was jailed in 2019 following his admission to the manslaughter of Raymond Dixon in Bury. The court heard that Mr. Dixon, a 50-year-old vulnerable and frail man, was tragically beaten to death by Edward Fitzgerald after Hopkinson spread a 'scurrilous rumour' about him being a paedophile. Hopkinson then recruited Fitzgerald and Anthony Dennison to assist him in robbing Mr. Dixon. After the fatal assault by Fitzgerald, Hopkinson and Dennison proceeded to search Dixon's home, stealing a 40-inch TV, a Playstation, and other valuables, which they subsequently sold to purchase drugs. Prior to his death, Mr. Dixon had expressed to his neighbour concerns about Hopkinson, describing him as 'ruthless' and noting that he would regularly appear at his home before his benefits arrived, claiming he had nowhere to go. This 'prescient comment,' as Judge Richard Mansell KC noted, foreshadowed the tragic events of February 11 that led to Mr. Dixon losing his life. For their roles, Hopkinson received a 13-year sentence for manslaughter, Fitzgerald a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years for murder, and Dennison a five-year sentence for robbery.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigation into Hopkinson's death uncovered several troubling aspects of his time in jail. He had been assaulted by fellow inmates seven weeks before his death and told relatives he had been attacked in the showers just days prior. There were also reports of him being bullied over debts. Throughout his incarceration, there were numerous reports of Hopkinson using spice and prescription medication, believed to have been stolen or bought from other prisoners. Upon his arrival at Strangeways, Hopkinson, who had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and had a history of suicide attempts at Forest Bank, informed staff he required protection due to a 'price on his head' stemming from his drug use, particularly spice.
Hopkinson was found hanged in his cell at 8:30 am on February 17, 2022. Five letters addressed to his family were discovered in his jacket pocket, in which he expressed his love, apologized, and included the poignant phrase, 'my head is gone and no one can help me.' An inquest held in December 2023 concluded that Hopkinson died as a result of suicide by hanging. In her report, Ombudsman Kimberley Bingham highlighted that it was 'troubling' how easily Hopkinson had been able to access alcohol and drugs within Strangeways. She stated that his death was a 'clear indicator' that greater efforts are needed to reduce the availability of such substances in prison. Bingham also raised concerns regarding the prior assault on Hopkinson seven weeks before his death, noting that it was not 'properly investigated.'