Family feel 'empty' after young dad died of 'exceptionally rare' condition

DAMIEN BEDFORD'S FAMILY SAY THEY WILL 'CONTINUE TO SEEK ANSWERS' AFTER A CORONER RULED HIS MEDICAL CARE WAS 'APPROPRIATE' AND HAD NOT PLAYED ANY ROLE IN HIS DEATH

15:44, 21 May 2025Updated 08:00, 22 May 2025 The family of a beloved dad-of-five have said they feel "empty" after an inquest ruled he died from an "exceptionally rare"

condition. Damien Bedford, from Ely in Cardiff, died on September 12, 2022 days before his 40th birthday after suffering from rapid weight loss and severe abdominal pain. The conclusion of a

three-day inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard Mr Bedford's death was "extremely unusual" and the result of chronic mesenteric ischemia, a condition where the

blood supply to the small intestine is gradually reduced. His death was ruled as natural causes. Mr Bedford's family said the verdict has left them feeling "empty." In a

statement they said: "To us, Damien's death feels far from natural. We want justice for Damien as we feel he was let down and we will continue to seek answers." The inquest

heard that in mid-July 2022 Mr Bedford began suffering from abdominal pain and vomiting. He went to his general practitioner Ely Bridge Surgery and was given medication whilst samples and

tests were taken to test his stool. At the end of August Mr Bedford was seen again and on September 7 that year he was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff after the

abdominal pain worsened. Coroner Andrew Morse said a "full and appropriate examination took place" and said that at the time "there was nothing available to suggest anything

abnormal that required an escalation of care more than there was given." Mr Bedford underwent CT scans on September 8 and 12 and Dr Dharmaraj Durai had put a plan in place for the

investigative process starting with a colonoscopy, possible biopsy and a further CT scan if necessary. Mr Morse also told the court that after Mr Bedford had been admitted into hospital on

September 7, 2022 he was under the care of the emergency department before being moved to the specialist gastroenterology ward the day before his death. The coroner said on Wednesday:

"I have heard no evidence that that delay played any causative role." On September 12, before the planned colonoscopy, Mr Bedford showed signs of a "rapid deterioration"

which was described as "shocking and unforeseen." The inquest heard he experienced a sudden decline requiring emergency surgery intervention where they found gangrenous bowel. Mr

Morse said he accepted pathologist Dr Thomas Hockey's cause of death which was given as "from the perforated ischemic bowel." _Stay informed on the latest health news by

signing up to __our newsletter here_. He said he accepted Professor Julie Cornish's statement that the case was "exceptionally rare in someone of his age. "This was an

extremely unusual case and overall the management was appropriate," he said. "No aspects of the care can be said to play any causative role in his death." Concluding Mr Morse

said: "Damien died on September 12, 2022 in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. He was admitted on the September 7 after several months of symptoms in keeping with the clinical

diagnosis of Crohn's confirmed in hospital." WHY WE COVER INQUESTS – AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved

one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others’ lives. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part

of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. It’s a journalist’s duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not

kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person’s death. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances

which may stop further deaths from happening. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. Inquests can often prompt

a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person

who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one. Often

families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person’s family and

friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. He explained the

post-mortem and clinical reviews found he did not have Crohn's but had been suffering with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) but that the pathological cause of this "could not be

determined. "What Damien suffered and caused his death was a condition that can be properly and appropriately explained as one of natural causes and that will be the conclusion,"

he said. Mr Bedford's family said in a statement after the conclusion: "Damien was a beloved dad, brother, partner and friend to so many people, and we are all absolutely

devastated with the loss of such a special man. As his family, we are struggling to come to terms with this, and his tragic death leaves a void that will never be filled. The pain we feel at

no longer having him around is indescribable. "For several months, our beloved Damien suffered symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss and he sought medical attention from his

GP surgery a number of times. He was admitted to hospital but then just days away from his 40th birthday, we were given the shocking and almost unbelievable news by the hospital that he

would not survive. This ripped our world apart and we still cannot truly comprehend what has happened. “Following the inquest into Damien’s death, we would like to thank the coroner for

conducting his investigation, although the verdict of ‘natural causes’ has left us feeling empty as to us, Damien’s death feels far from natural. We want justice for Damien as we feel he was

let down and we will continue to seek answers. “We are still reeling from the loss of Damien; we will never stop grieving and never stop missing him.” Holly Cossutta, senior associate at

Slater and Gordon, said: "Damien's family are absolutely devastated by his death and understandably want clarity around what happened. At such a young age, and with so much to look

forward to in his life, Damien’s death has been truly shocking to everyone who knew him. We will support his family in every way we can in finding the answers they need.” Article continues

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