“Coronation Street” actor, Joseph Wandera, aged 27, tragically died in a Tamarindo beach resort apartment following a drug overdose at a music festival in Costa Rica in January 2022.
An inquest on September 18, 2024, disclosed that Wandera had ingested a lethal blend of MDMA, known as ecstasy, and another substance dubbed “Pink Stuff” just moments before experiencing a fatal seizure.
In 2018, Wandera had been a part of the popular ITV soap opera and had flown to Costa Rica with friend Renay Zollner to partake in a music festival. On the day of his untimely death, Wandera sent a text message to his girlfriend admitting his drug use. He also stated he hadn’t slept for two days and was feeling sick. He disclosed his apprehensions about the unknown contents of the drugs he had taken.
He had consumed the lethal drug combination a couple of days prior to his death. Zollner, who had been with Wandera during the festival, informed investigators that they had obtained the drugs from local vendors. Despite immediate medical assistance, Wandera could not be saved and was declared dead on the spot.
At the inquest, his mother, Claire Beatson, expressed her grief and surprise at her son’s usage of such hazardous substances. Beatson clarified that this behavior was not typical for her son. Although Joseph had occasionally experimented with drugs, his actions in Costa Rica were not in line with his usual character.
The coroner ruled Wandera’s death as a misadventure, asserting that while he willingly took the drugs, there was no intention to cause his own death. The coroner emphasized the dangers of recreational drug use and described Wandera as a bright and talented individual with a promising future.
In 2019, Wandera had suffered a severe assault resulting in broken vertebrae. However, pathologists confirmed that this injury did not contribute to his death. Instead, Wandera’s death was attributed to the toxicity from ketamine and MDMA. The inquest further revealed that he had experienced significant symptoms, including loss of sight in one eye and numbness on the left side of his body, before his death. Despite contacting a friend who drove him back to their apartment, Wandera’s condition deteriorated, ultimately leading to the fatal seizure.
Wandera’s acting career held considerable promise. Besides “Coronation Street,” he also appeared in “Scott & Bailey” and “Moving On.” Following his appearance on “Coronation Street,” he shared his excitement on social media, expressing gratitude for the support received and hinting at future endeavors.
