Middleton, Greater Manchester – A man who heroically helped bring down a criminal gang was found dead six years after a brutal axe attack that left him forever changed. Cameron Brooksbank, 24, affectionately known as Cam, was tragically discovered unresponsive at an address in Middleton on June 18 of the previous year. An inquest held on Wednesday (May 15) revealed that a combination of prescription drugs and cocaine were present in his system at the time of his death, but the coroner ruled out suicide as his intention.
Brooksbank’s life took a drastic turn six years prior when he intervened in a road rage incident as a teenager, only to be brutally attacked by a criminal gang. The vicious assault left him with physical and psychological scars, with his colleague recounting how the gang nearly severed his hand during the attack. Despite initial reattachment surgery, Brooksbank endured five more operations in the following two years in an attempt to regain partial use of his arm, but the trauma lingered.
Throughout his ordeal, Brooksbank openly shared his struggles, appearing on a BBC crime documentary to shed light on his mental health battles post-assault. His family and loved ones described the profound impact the attack had on his life, noting that he never fully recovered from the trauma. Despite attempts to cope with the aftermath using cocaine, the inquest heard that he had ceased using the drug prior to his death. Reports indicated that Brooksbank had previously overdosed on two occasions.
The coroner’s report revealed a mix of drugs in Brooksbank’s system, including prescribed medications and cocaine, with the cause of death attributed to mixed drug use and bronchopneumonia. Concluding that there was no evidence of intent to end his life, the coroner classified his passing as a misadventure. Following his death, Greater Manchester Police praised Brooksbank’s bravery in assisting in the prosecution of the criminals involved in his attack, expressing gratitude for his invaluable contribution to seeking justice.
In a poignant statement, Brooksbank’s mother paid tribute to her son, highlighting his resilience and courage in the face of adversity. She expressed pride in his strength and described him as a true hero, emphasizing the enduring impact of the attack on his life. His assailant, Mohammed Awais Sajid, alongside three accomplices, faced justice in 2019 with varying prison sentences for their roles in the brutal assault. Despite the closure brought by their convictions, Brooksbank’s tragic tale serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting repercussions of senseless violence.