Immigration centre death was unnatural - coroner

Theophile Kaliviotis was found unresponsive at the Brook House detention centre

A man who was detained at an immigration centre while waiting to be deported is believed to have died in unnatural circumstances, a coroner has said.

Theophile Kaliviotis was found unresponsive by staff at the Brook House detention centre near Gatwick Airport on 27 October.

A post-mortem examination for the French-born 26-year-old was not able to ascertain a medical cause of death, an inquest in Brighton heard.

Joseph Turner, the area coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, said: "I have reason to believe circumstances of his death are unnatural."

Coroner’s court assistant Ken Jewell said staff found Mr Kaliviotis in an unresponsive state.

"Despite best efforts, Mr Kaliviotis was not able to be resuscitated," he added.

The single, unemployed man was formally identified by coroner’s officer Eloise Palfrey.

Brook House, Sussex Police, the Home Office, Practice Plus Group, Serco, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and a family member of the man have been deemed interested persons and notified of the inquest proceedings.

Another hearing is scheduled for 13 May, 2025.