Inquest After Award-Winning Poet Died At Music Festival

A coroner has ruled the death of an award-winning poet at a music festival near Market Harborough was accidental.

Gboyega Odubanjo was found dead in a lake five days after going missing from the Shambala Festival in the grounds of Kelmarsh Hall last August.

The 27-year-old had been due to perform at the event.

Gboyega Odubanjo

An inquest heard traces of alcohol, ketamine and ecstasy were found in his blood, although they were not enough to kill him.

The cause of death was given as accidental drowning.

Speaking outside Northampton Coroners’ Court, Mr Odubanjo’s family said: “Gboyega was inimitable.

“We will cherish his loud laughter, calm measuredness, his sharp intellect and his love, all of which will continue to warm the hearts of his friends, family and writing community.”

They added that Mr Odubanjo’s debut poetry collection – titled Adam – would be released posthumously, while they have also founded The Gboyega Odubanjo Foundation to support low-income black writers, with £40,000 raised in his memory.