The family of a teenager who died after taking ecstasy for the first time have called for young people to be made aware of the risk from drugs.
Kristian Jolly, 17, took at least one MDMA tablet during a night out with friends on August 30 last year, an inquest heard.
The variety he swallowed was called ‘Andrew Tate’, named after the self-confessed misogynist and social media influencer accused of promoting toxic masculinity.
Tate, 38 – who faces ten charges relating to three alleged victims including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain by British police as well as extradition to Romania for other alleged offences – has made a four-figure donation to a charity via a website set up in Kristian’s name, the Mail can reveal.
East Anglian Air Ambulance, who are the beneficiaries of the fundraising page, said they were investigating the source of the money.
Kristian, of Hindolveston, near Fakenham in Norfolk, started sweating profusely and became seriously unwell after taking the drug.
An ambulance was called early the following morning to a garage he was staying in with friends but he was declared dead at the scene.
In a statement read out at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, Kristian’s parents, Wayne and Sarah, said: ‘As parents, we feel passionate about warning young people in the community about the dangers of drug-taking.
Kristian Jolly, 17, died from MDMA toxicity after taking ecstasy with his friends for the first time, an inquest heard
‘It is shocking that we live in a society where drugs can continue to be supplied to our children.’
The inquest, in Norwich, heard that Kristian had been spent the day with friends, during which time they got hold of the drugs.
Giving evidence to the hearing, one of his friends – who can’t be named for legal reasons – said he had taken a pill shaped like the computer game character Mario, while Kristian’s was ‘called Andrew Tate’.
Asked by coroner Yvonne Blake whether her had ever taken ecstasy before, the friend added: ‘No, we just thought it would be a good time.
‘I had never heard of Kristian taking it before either.’
During the night, Kristian began sweating uncontrollably as he became increasingly unwell.
He fell at one point and hit his head on the concrete wall of the garage he and his friends were using in Dereham – although the post-mortem examination showed he had suffered no injury as a result.
Tests confirmed the formal cause of death as MDMA toxicity.
The teenager took a pill named ‘Andrew Tate’ after the controversial toxic masculinity influencer
Tate, 38, gave nearly £6,000 to a fundraising page set up by a family member of Kristian’s, with the proceeds going to East Anglian Air Ambulance
Concluding Kristian had died as a result of a drug-related death, Ms Blake described the loss as ‘such a tragic waste of a young life’.
A muchloved.com fundraising page set up in Kristian’s name, with proceeds going to East Anglian Air Ambulance, has so far raised £6,822 – with £5,786 coming from Tate.
The controversial influencer wrote: ‘Words cannot express the depth of my sorrow for your loss.
‘No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one, especially under such tragic circumstances. My thoughts are with you during this unimaginably difficult time.
‘I was appalled to learn that the substance responsible for Kristian’s death was reportedly linked to a drug referred to as an “Andrew Tate” pill.
‘Let me be unequivocally clear: I have always been vehemently opposed to drugs and their destructive impact on individuals and communities.
‘The fact that my name has been exploited in connection with such a vile substance fills me with anger and disgust.
‘This is a gross misrepresentation of everything I stand for and I am horrified that my name has been associated with something that has caused your family such profound pain.’
Kristian’s father, Wayne, said he was aware that Tate had send a large donation to the fund and confirmed he was considering putting out a statement
Kristian, picture with his father Wayne and mother Sarah, who called for young people to be more aware of the dangers of drugs
Tate declined to comment about the donation. He faces charges in the UK and Romania including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain
Mr Jolly confirmed he was aware of the donation from Tate – and the fund’s benefactor’s ‘toxic reputation’ – when approached at his semi-detached house today.
He declined to comment immediately on what his family thought about it but said he accepted Tate would have had nothing to do with his name being given to the ecstasy tablet his son took.
He added: ‘We may make a statement. We have just got to prepare it.’
East Anglian Ambulance Service said it was ‘investigating the source of the donation’.
Kristian’s parents paid tribute to their son at the inquest, saying: ‘Kristian was a beautiful person and a good, honest soul.
‘He was a lovable lad, caring towards others and always trying to cheer people up. He had a loving relationship with his little sister.
‘His death was a complete shock and so unexpected.’
