Mike Thalassitis: Love Island star left notebook at scene of death

Mike Thalassitis rose to fame on ITV2's Love Island show

Love Island star Mike Thalassitis left a notebook with messages to his family at the scene of his death, an inquest has heard.

The 26-year-old reality star and former footballer was found dead in a park in Edmonton, north London, on 16 March.

His death sparked calls for improved aftercare for people who take part in reality TV shows.

North London Coroner's Court concluded on Wednesday his cause of death was suicide by hanging.

Senior coroner Andrew Walker said Mr Thalassitis left messages "which clearly set out his intention that his life should come to an end".

Former Love Island contestant Montana Brown said Mr Thalassitis had been in a "dark place" in the months before his death.

Montana Brown, a contestant on the 2017 series of Love Island, attended the inquest

Mr Thalassitis was found by a jogger in Church Street Recreation ground next to Haselbury Road in the north London borough where he lived.

PC Emma Clauson, who attended the scene, said she looked through the notebook "which was a sort of combination of a diary and letters and positive thoughts".

"At the back of the diary was a number of notes that had been addressed to his family," she said.

Toxicology results showed there was cocaine, ethanol, antidepressants and paracetamol in his system at the time of his death.

Mr Thalassitis' family paid tribute to their "wonderful son and brother" outside the court following the hearing.

Reading a statement on their behalf, Dave Read, his manager and agent, said "Mike was a wonderful son and brother and will be dearly missed".

Producers of the ITV2 show paid tribute to him at the end of the opening episode of the new series, which aired on Monday night.

Beneath a photo, a message on screen read: "In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993-2019."

• ITV says aftercare can't be 'forever'

• How do reality TV shows care for their stars?

• Love Island's Dr Alex George- 'I asked ITV for therapy'

Love Island said it would be offering further support and "bespoke training" to contestants in future.

With a career in lower league football, Mr Thalassitis joined the cast for Love Island in 2017. He was also filmed for the E4 show Celebs Go Dating.

Earlier this year a coroner in Tyneside issued a warning about mixing alcohol and cocaine after another Love Island star, Sophie Gradon, took her own life having consumed both substances.

The coroner said research in the US said the combination was known to make someone 16 times more likely to kill themselves.

If you are struggling to cope, contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or please click on this link to access support services.