A 40th birthday celebration turned fatal when David Toulson died after being placed in a “guillotine hold” by his friend James Johnson in June 2022. What began as a festive outing in Manchester’s Gay Village ended in heartbreak, with Johnson later acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges.
The Events Leading to a Tragedy
David and James, along with two other friends, attended a drag brunch before returning to David’s home in Salford. Later that evening, Johnson called the police, claiming he had killed David. Emergency responders found David unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Johnson, he feared he had been drugged and was at risk of assault. Under this paranoia, he placed David in a guillotine chokehold, holding him until he felt “safe.” Both men had consumed cocaine and ketamine, which may have contributed to the chaos of the evening.
An inquest revealed that sustained neck compression caused David’s death, with bruising and fractures to his larynx indicating significant force applied over several minutes. Johnson claimed to have blacked out during the incident and found himself still holding David upon regaining consciousness.
David’s sister, Marie Buckley, spoke emotionally about her brother, describing him as a supportive and jovial person. She refuted any allegations of predatory behavior, emphasizing that any banter between David and Johnson was mutual.
“My voice is David’s voice,” she stated during the inquest, underscoring her belief that her brother’s death was a violent and prolonged act.
While Johnson was cleared of criminal charges in 2023, the inquest into David’s death continues to shed light on the devastating circumstances of that night. For David’s family, the tragedy remains a painful reminder of a life lost too soon, leaving unanswered questions and lasting sorrow.
