Joseph Wandera, a 27-year-old actor from the British soap “Coronation Street,“ collapsed and died after taking a mixture of drugs at a dance festival in Costa Rica in January 2022. 

The September 18, 2024, inquest into his death revealed that Wandera had consumed a dangerous cocktail of MDMA, commonly referred to as ecstasy, and a drug called “Pink Stuff” shortly before he suffered a fatal seizure.

Wandera, who appeared on the ITV soap in 2018, traveled to Costa Rica with his friend Renay Zollner to attend a music festival. On the morning of his death, Wandera texted his girlfriend, confessing that he had been using drugs. In his message, he mentioned that he had not slept for two days and had been throwing up. He also revealed his concern, stating, “I don’t know what’s in the drugs I’ve taken.”

He had taken the cocktail of drugs several days before his death. Zollner, who had been with Wandera throughout the festival, told investigators that the group had purchased the drugs from local dealers. Despite calling for an ambulance immediately, paramedics were unable to save Wandera, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Claire Beatson, expressed her sorrow during the inquest, revealing her shock that her son had used such dangerous substances. She explained that this behavior was unusual for him, noting that while Joseph had experimented with drugs occasionally in the past, his actions in Costa Rica were out of character. 

The coroner, in delivering the verdict, ruled Wandera’s death as a misadventure, stating that he had taken the drugs willingly but did not intend to cause his own death. The coroner emphasized that this case highlights the risks of recreational drug use, describing Wandera as a talented and joyful individual with a bright future and much to live for.

Wandera had suffered a serious assault in 2019, which left him with broken vertebrae, but pathologists confirmed that this injury did not contribute to his death. His death was attributed to ketamine and MDMA toxicity. The inquest also revealed that Wandera had experienced severe symptoms shortly before his death, including loss of sight in one eye and numbness on the left side of his body. Despite contacting a friend who drove him back to their apartment, Wandera’s condition worsened, leading to the seizure that claimed his life.

Joseph Wandera’s acting career showed significant potential. Beyond his role in “Coronation Street,” he also appeared in “Scott & Bailey” and “Moving On. ”After his “Coronation Street” appearance, he expressed his excitement online, sharing his appreciation for the support he received and hinting at more to come in the future.