Jamal Edwards died from heart attack after taking recreational drugs, mum Brenda confirms

The mum of British music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards has emphasised the importance of driving conversations about the "unpredictability of recreational drugs" as she learnt that her son died of "cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs”.

Brenda Edwards, 53, a singer and presenter on Loose Women, made the announcement on social media following the result of an inquest at West London Coroner's Court into the death of Jamal Edwards.

Edwards died in February this year aged 31.

His mum thanked everyone for the support the family had received following his death, saying: “We have been so incredibly touched by the outpouring of love and support, and you are all helping us try and get through the unimaginable.”

Jamal Edwards died after suffering "cardiac arrhythmia" from recreational drugs
John Stillwell

She added: “Since I last spoke, I have sadly learned that the cause of Jamal’s devastating passing was due to cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs and I wanted to address this myself to everyone who loved, admired and respected my son.

“Since finding out the news I’ve been in a state of shock, and I’m still trying to process it, but it’s so important to me that I do address it as no mother or any loved one should have to go through what Jamal’s sister, Tanisha, and I have been through since he passed.”

Jamal's mother released a statement via her Instagram this morning
Brenda Edwards/Instagram

She described her son as having had the “world at his fingertips – a zest for life and he was unwittingly taken away far too soon”.

“Yet we have to come to terms with what has happened, and Jamal is proof that this can happen to anyone.”

She wrote: “These types of substances are extremely unpredictable, and we can only hope that this will encourage others to think wisely when faced with similar situations in the future. His passing has shown that any one bad decision on any one occasion can lead to devastating consequences.

“It’s so important that we help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs and the impact that they can have – how it takes just one bad reaction to destroy lives.

“I would do anything to have my son back but that is just not possible so if I can help save one life, then we will have achieved something.”

The inquest concluded that Edwards died on February 20 of this year following a heart attack at his mum's address in Acton.

Assistant Coroner Catherine Wood said: “He came home late one evening, after which he became increasingly agitated and suffered a cardiac arrest.

“He was deteriorating despite treatment and died on February 20 of this year.

"A post-mortem has been undertaken and I have reason to suspect that the death was an unnatural death.”

The inquest was adjourned to be resumed in eight weeks’ time.

Jamal rose to fame after founding the music platform SBTV in 2006, and was credited with helping to launch a string of UK music acts to stardom, including Ed Sheeran, Dave and Jessie J.

He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed up by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 was made an MBE for his services to music.

His mum's statement said: “I’m so incredibly proud of everything he achieved over the course of his 31 years; I’m so proud to call him my son.”