Middleton, United Kingdom – A man who was found dead six years after a brutal axe attack has been posthumously recognized for his role in bringing down a criminal gang. Cameron Brooksbank, affectionately known as Cam by his family and friends, was tragically discovered unresponsive in Middleton on June 18, last year. An inquest held on May 15 determined that Cameron had a mixture of prescription drugs and cocaine in his system at the time of his death. However, the coroner concluded that Cameron did not have any intention of taking his own life.
The tragic death of Cameron came six years after he had endured a horrific assault that had a profound impact on him, altering his life forever. Just a teenager at the time of the attack, Cameron was working as a tree surgeon when he intervened in a road rage incident in Rochdale in 2017, trying to defuse the situation. As a result, he was viciously attacked by a gang using an axe, causing long-lasting physical and emotional scars.
During an episode of a BBC crime documentary ‘The Detectives’, Cameron spoke candidly about the mental health struggles he faced following the brutal assault. The attack left him with physical injuries that required multiple surgeries in the years that followed. Despite his efforts to recover, Cameron continued to struggle with depression and eventually resorted to self-medicating with cocaine.
Cameron’s family revealed that prior to his death, he had been prescribed a new antidepressant to help manage his depression. Toxicology reports showed a mixture of drugs in his system, including cocaine and prescription medications. The coroner’s report cited mixed drug use and Bronchopneumonia as the main causes of his death, ruling it as a misadventure and stating that there was no evidence to suggest that Cameron intended to end his life.
In the wake of his passing, the Greater Manchester Police praised Cameron for his bravery, acknowledging his role in dismantling the criminal gang that had perpetrated the violent attack. Cameron’s mother, Claire, paid a heartfelt tribute to her son, describing him as her best friend and recognizing his strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
The men responsible for the axe attack were brought to justice, with one of them, Mohammed Awais Sajid, also known as ‘Skinny’, receiving an 18-year prison sentence for wounding. Other members of the gang involved in the assault were handed various prison terms for their roles in the incident. Cameron’s legacy lives on as a symbol of courage and tenacity in the face of adversity.