Imagine believing a miracle cure could save you from cancer, only to realize too late that it was poison in disguise. This harrowing reality struck Lee Redpath, a 45-year-old man who tragically lost his life after taking a de-worming drug meant for animals, convinced it could cure his cancer.

During an inquest, it was revealed that Lee had been taking fenbendazole—a drug designed to treat gastrointestinal parasites in animals—over a three-week period. Signs of liver failure led to his emergency hospitalization at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he passed away on April 29.

Lee had come across misleading information on social media, which falsely claimed that fenbendazole could fend off cancer. This information was not just a random post; it was shared by some high-profile celebrities, including actor Mel Gibson, who discussed the drug's alleged benefits on Joe Rogan's podcast, claiming it had helped some of his friends with stage four cancer.

His long-term partner, Lauren Laul, testified during the inquest, expressing her disbelief that Lee thought the drug was safe, particularly given its popularity in the U.S. "He saw it online, thought it was safe, people in America are using it," Lauren shared. She emphasized the urgent need for warnings concerning such drugs being sold online, fearing it could lead to more tragedies like Lee's.

Doctors were quick to debunk the myths surrounding fenbendazole. Dr. Gwilym Webb, a consultant hepatologist at Addenbrooke’s, made it clear that there is no proven benefit for treating cancer in humans. Lee's liver failure was determined to be directly linked to the drug, with the coroner concluding that he had taken it at dangerously high doses over a prolonged period.

As the inquest unfolded, the Assistant Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Caroline Jones, noted Lee's liver injury was exacerbated by a background of alcohol-related cirrhosis. Unfortunately, he was not eligible for a liver transplant due to alcohol misuse in the months leading up to his death.

The coroner recorded Lee’s death as a misadventure, highlighting the tragic lesson that while Lee may have had good intentions in seeking out a cure, misinformation can have dire consequences.

Lauren urged the coroner to create a report to prevent future deaths, but her request was denied due to lack of sufficient evidence. Sadly, as the world grows more digital, the dangers of misleading health claims online remain a significant concern, leaving many like Lee vulnerable to tragic outcomes.