An inquest into Josh Perry’s death was held on Thursday
Josh Perry was described as a “funny” and “loved” young man(Image: Facebook)
A young man “adored by everyone who knew him” died after falling from a car park, an inquest heard. On March 14, 2025 Josh Perry fell from the nineteenth floor of a multi-storey car park on Renshaw Street in Liverpool city centre. Despite attempts to save him, he died at the scene. The 21-year-old’s death followed a battle with “dissociative and hallucinogenic” drug, ketamine.
Before he was born, “everyone” was excited for Josh’s arrival. His mum Natasha Perry carried Josh for what “felt like forever,” a statement read by his auntie Tammy to Gerard Majella Courthouse on Thursday, April 2 said. She said: “He was desperately longed for, from the moment he was born the whole family adored him. Josh was his mum’s first born, my mum’s first grandson and my first nephew.
“The family joked that although Natasha was his mum, he gained two bonus mums and two bonus dads. He was a wonderful baby, everyone loved being around him.
“When he turned three he became a big brother to Eva and they became best friends. Eva was like a big sister to Josh, she always knew what was best for her big brother. When he played rugby she’d run him a bath for afterwards and set his pyjamas out on the bed, just how he liked it. Josh loved the attention from his mum, Eva and aunties and he was the best cousin – they adored him.”
Natasha was always told “what a beautiful boy” Josh was and he went on to win many awards in rugby. He later signed to play the sport for Warrington Wolves. His family loved watching him play, the statement continued.
Tammy said: “The family have the best memories on day trips out and caravan holidays. Every year we would stay at Alton Towers and go swimming, then go on the rides – this was Josh’s favourite, family time. He loved being away and being surrounded with people he loved. He had a brilliant childhood. When Josh was little he loved Christmas.”
Tributes to Josh Perry left at the scene
Josh is remembered by his family for his “brilliant sense of humour and laugh that could cheer anyone up.” Tammy continued: “He always had funny stories, he had an extraordinary imagination. Josh loved giving people nicknames and was a hard worker. He achieved everything he set his mind to.
“Josh made his family so proud and made sure everyone around him would have a smile on their face. He lived for a good time not a long time.”
The day before his death Josh was asked to leave the family home over his drugs use. He was the “golden child” of the family when he was young and “never in trouble,” the court heard in a statement read on behalf of Natasha.
Aged 17 he started taking ketamine, which was a shock to the family. His mum described him as a “walking spaceman” who would find it hard to even pick up a glass in front of him.
His addiction got worse and in October 2024 had a “devastating impact” on the family, causing a rift at home. Natasha would sometimes ask Josh to leave the house and stay with family or in hotel because she was worried about the impact his ketamine usage would have on his younger sister.
His addiction continued and in November 2024 he was diagnosed with ketamine bladder, a severe, chronic condition characterised by inflammation, ulceration, and fibrosis of the bladder wall caused by the recreational misuse of ketamine. Desperately wanting to better himself Josh bravely self-referred to rehab. It was a struggle but he stayed for eight weeks and got clean.
Josh Perry, who tragically died in March last year, with his dad Chris McLean
When Josh self-referred to rehab he was using up to 7g of ketamine a day, spending £200 on the substance. He’d told mental health specialists how he felt numb and experienced fatigue. Despite this, he was discharged on Sunday, March 9, 2025; an emotional but happy day for the family.
The day before he died Josh’s mum was taking him to a narcotics anonymous meeting, which he’d self-referred to attend. As she was driving, she became suspicious that he’d taken the drug. The court heard how Josh sounded disassociated, like previous times when he was under the influence.
When she returned home Natasha checked her son’s bedroom and found residue of the Class A. Upset, she packed his belongings and told him to check into a hotel. Josh booked a room at the Premier Inn near Moorfields in the city centre for two nights.
On Friday, March 14 Natasha exchanged her last conversation with her son. She text him warning him he’d end up “really ill” again if he carried on with his drug usage and he replied saying he was sorry and that he will stop. That was the last time she ever heard from her 21-year-old son.
Merseyside Police were called by a member of public to the carpark at around 6.20pm on the Friday. When emergency services arrived Josh was found with “significant head trauma.”
That night, two police officers appeared on her ring doorbell camera. She instantly knew something was wrong and called Eva as her sister Sian called Josh to check both children were ok. Josh didn’t answer his phone. Later that night, officers returned to her home address and told her the “devastating news about my gorgeous boy.”
Natasha told the court how she doesn’t believe her son intended to take his life. The next day she went to the Premier Inn to get his belongings. There, she found his iPad charging and his night clothes laid out on the bed ready for him to change into that night, suggesting he intended to return. He’d also made several plans and talked about getting his life back on track. He’d arranged to meet a friend for coffee and set plans in place to meet up with his ex-girlfriend to get things back on track.
Coroner Helen Rimmer said to the court: “It’s clear Josh is loved dearly by you all and is missed every single day,” before she heard evidence from Merseyside Police and a representative for ParkBee Ltd, owners of the Renshaw Street car park.
DCI James Halpin, who oversaw the Merseyside Police investigation into Josh’s death described how Josh appeared “unsteady on his feet” as he walks across the nineteenth floor of the car park. After the fall Josh was found with facial and internal injuries. Traces of ketamine were found in his blood.
Issues surrounding the legal building regulations of the height of the wall inside the car park were raised to the court by the family’s representative Mr Weaver. Merseyside Police found the height of the parapet wall to be the correct minimum height of the car park and raised no concern.
Legal councillor for ParkBee Ltd Willian Bommel also told the court how the height regulations for the parapet walls inside the carpark follow building regulations. He also told the court how every floor has open panels to comply with fire safety regulations for ventilation. The company has also implemented further training for staff since the incident.
Concluding, Coroner Helen Rimmer issued a prevention of future death report to state that a conflict does exist between regulations, guidance and standards regarding the height of car park barriers that needs resolution to prevent future deaths. The inquest found that the car park barriers did meet the legal standard to prevent falls from height.
The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion. She concluded it’s not clear whether Josh intended to take his own life – that’s because his ketamine use did have an impact on his cognitive function and he had made future plans. Josh also gave no indication previously of any suicidal ideation, Ms Rimmer added.