Albanian migrant found dead on Bibby Stockholm was distraught after being tricked into going onto barge, inquest told

An inquest in Bournemouth heard that Leonard Farruku, a 27-year-old Albanian migrant, was found dead on the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port, Dorset, on December 12, 2023. A post-mortem concluded his death was caused by compression to the neck and suspension by ligature, and the inquest was told he had been distraught after being tricked into boarding the barge.

Family members, including Farruku's sisters Marsida Keci and Jola Dushku, questioned how he was moved from the Esplanade Hotel in Paignton, Devon, to the Bibby Stockholm. The inquest has previously heard that Farruku had displayed aggressive behaviour at the Esplanade as early as July 2023, and he declined formal mental-health support. Ashley Rangasamy, who helped support Farruku and more than 100 other asylum seekers at the Esplanade, said Farruku had two modes — 'either fine or very angry' — and that he had been invited to voluntary talking groups; he had also been offered mental-health support, which he declined.

Rangasamy said concerns were raised when he learned Farruku was moving to the Bibby Stockholm on Oct. 31, 2023, and that his mood had changed; he was very adamant that he did not want to move and was distraught. On the day Farruku was due to be transferred, Rangasamy said he visited the Esplanade after hearing that Farruku had refused to move. He described finding the migrant in a car as staff stood on the steps, and he asked how it would work. He said he was told by Abhijith Jayaseelan, the Esplanade's hotel supervisor, that he would not be going to Bibby Stockholm and would go to Swindon instead. 'They tricked him,' he said.

Rangasamy said he raised the concerns with Torbay Council and tried to contact others, such as Dorset Council or Migrant Help, but could not find a phone number or email for the barge management. He said he asked one of Bibby Stockholm's residents to raise the issue with staff but was told he was 'just dismissed.' He added that he should have pursued the matter further but did not know what to do. The inquest continues.