A Doncaster man imprisoned for the brutal murder of his partner has died in custody after ingesting a lethal combination of drugs.
Christopher Keeling, 63, was found unresponsive at HMP Doncaster on September 18, 2022. A newly released report from the Prison Ombudsman confirmed his death was caused by mixed drug toxicity, with tramadol—a potent painkiller—found in his system at four times the lethal dose. While Keeling had been prescribed other drugs discovered in his body, the source of the tramadol remains unknown.
Keeling was serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of Ann Robinson, his partner, whom he had attacked at their home on Truro Avenue, Wheatley, in December 2000. The vicious assault left Robinson with severe injuries that required 24-hour care for the remainder of her life. Initially jailed for attempted murder in 2001 and sentenced to 14 years, Keeling’s charges were elevated to murder after Robinson died in 2014 at the age of 58. A post-mortem examination directly linked her death to the injuries sustained during the attack, leading to Keeling’s murder conviction, which he later admitted.
At the time of his death, Keeling had terminal oesophageal cancer and had been receiving pain management treatment. The Ombudsman’s report stated that, although Keeling’s medical care in prison was generally on par with what he would have received in the community, there were delays in administering his pain relief medication and providing him with an appropriate diet.
The report suggests that Keeling may have intentionally taken the tramadol to end his life. “Police were satisfied that no one else had administered it to Mr. Keeling,” the Ombudsman noted, indicating that the circumstances pointed to suicide.
An inquest held in August concluded that Keeling died by suicide. Detective Constable Ian Honeybone of South Yorkshire Police emphasized the significance of Keeling’s prosecution for murder despite the time lapse between the attack and Robinson’s eventual death. “Extensive medical assessment concluded that the brutal and sustained attack on Ann in December 2000 significantly contributed to her death in March 2014,” said Honeybone. “Her health was forever changed as a result of Keeling’s actions that night. Ann survived extensive injuries but needed round-the-clock care and medical support.”
Keeling’s death closes a tragic chapter in a case marked by violence and loss.
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