Patryk Skupinski, serving a life sentence for the murder of Coventry mother Marlene Doyle, was found dead in his prison cell by a fellow inmate at HMP Gartree near Market Harborough. Skupinski, 38, was discovered lying face down in a pool of vomit on January 29, 2025, raising serious questions about prison welfare procedures.
Ms. Doyle, aged 32, was tragically found deceased at their Coventry flat after relatives raised alarm over her unresponsiveness. She had suffered severe head injuries and was believed to have been dead for up to five days before discovery. Skupinski was convicted of her murder in October 2023, receiving a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years.
An investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) uncovered critical failures in prison staff checks. At 5:07 am, an officer conducted a routine observational check through the cell panel with a torch and reported no issues. However, a subsequent roll check at 7:13 am failed to elicit any response from Skupinski, and crucially, the cell door was not opened as prison policy requires.
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Later, at 7:58 am, another officer unlocked the cell door to commence morning activities but neglected to verify Skupinski’s condition. About 20 minutes afterward, an inmate found Skupinski unresponsive, prompting an emergency response. Despite efforts including CPR and paramedic intervention, Skupinski was pronounced dead at 8:58 am. Rigor mortis indicated he had been deceased for several hours before discovery.
The post-mortem report indicated Skupinski died from ischaemic heart disease exacerbated by synthetic cannabinoid use. Investigators found a tampered vape, commonly used for inhaling illicit substances, in his cell. However, prison officers were reportedly unaware of or confused about welfare check protocols. The prison has since updated its policies, mandating staff to open cell doors if prisoners are not visible.
Healthcare response was also scrutinized. Naloxone—a drug used to counter opioid overdoses—was administered 10 minutes after staff arrival, though reviewers acknowledged this delay did not affect the outcome. Skupinski had no known history of drug misuse in custody and maintained abstinence during substance misuse inductions.
HMP Gartree has been grappling with ongoing issues involving drugs entering the prison, often via drones, fueling addiction, violence, and bullying. Efforts to combat contraband include installing protective window cages and significant investment in anti-drone measures.
Skupinski’s death marks the eleventh inmate death at Gartree since January 2022. His family was difficult to contact initially, but through the Polish Consulate, authorities liaised with his brother, and arrangements were made to repatriate the body to Poland.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that HMP Gartree has reviewed its welfare procedures to ensure compliance and highlighted nationwide investment exceeding £40 million in prison security enhancements.