Sudden Death of ‘Loveable Rogue’ Exeter Barber Shocks Community
The Exeter community mourns the loss of James Potter, a beloved barber, whose sudden passing has left many heartbroken and in disbelief.
Exeter, Devon, James Potter, Barber, Cocaine, Tragedy
Exeter: A well-known barber and dad, James Potter, sadly passed away unexpectedly. He was described as a ‘loveable rogue’ by those who knew him. An inquest revealed he died while sleeping at a flat in Exmouth on January 8, 2023.
James, 36, couldn’t be revived after spending the night there. His wife, Hayley, shared that they had been married for just six months and had a rollercoaster relationship, partly due to his struggles with cocaine. But things had settled down after their wedding.
She had even rented him a new barber shop in Torquay, hoping it would be a fresh start. They were also looking into treatment for his sleep apnea. On January 7, after a night of heavy drinking and an argument, he left home, saying he was going to his mum’s place.
Heartbreakingly, Hayley found out about his death through social media. She expressed how much she misses him, calling him a loveable rogue and taking it one day at a time.
A post-mortem showed he had taken a dangerous mix of cocaine and a prescription sedative before his death. The inquest confirmed that he died from polydrug toxicity.
On the night of his passing, James had been picked up from Torquay by someone he had just met. They went back to the flat in Exmouth, where he mentioned he had taken a lot of drugs. Sadly, he was found unresponsive later that day.
Despite attempts to revive him, it was too late. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances, and the two men present were cooperative with the investigation.
James had previously sought help for severe depression but hadn’t always engaged with the services. The assistant coroner noted that he likely made impulsive decisions that night, not realizing the drugs would lead to his tragic end.
Hayley shared a touching tribute, saying his death left a huge void in many lives, including hers and their young son’s. She was surprised to learn just how many people loved him.
James was known for his outgoing personality, always chatting with strangers. A GoFundMe was set up for his funeral, and Hayley joked that he would want it to be colorful and filled with his favorite music, reflecting his vibrant spirit.