Josh Perry was a 'desperately longed for' child who grew up in a close-knit family and was a talented rugby league player, winning multiple awards and signing for Warrington Wolves as a youngster. His addiction strained his relationship with his family. He became addicted to ketamine at age 17, and in November 2024, he was diagnosed with ketamine-induced uropathy, known as ketamine bladder.
Before his death, he had completed an eight-week rehabilitation programme and was trying to turn his life around, though there were concerns he had relapsed in the days leading up to his death. Emergency services were called to the car park on Heathfield Street at around 6:20 pm on March 14 last year, where Josh Perry was found with severe head injuries. CCTV footage showed him apparently 'unsteady on his feet' before the fall.
A coroner ruled she could not be sure Josh Perry intended to take his own life, and he had never expressed any suicidal thoughts previously. Natasha Perry, his mother, said he would still be alive today if not for ketamine addiction, describing it as an epidemic that is too freely available and infecting children. She was angry that inadequate safety railings on the 19th floor of the car park meant Josh could easily climb over and fall while intoxicated.
The exact circumstances of his relapse and what specific factors led to the fall remain unclear, as do any actions being taken regarding the safety railings or the prevalence of ketamine use in the local area. Natasha Perry stated that she misses her wonderful, caring and kind son every day and added that something needs to be done to prevent more families from suffering similar heartache.