A tragic incident involving a “sex game” gone wrong led to the deaths of 26-year-old professional dancer Georgia Brooke and her 31-year-old boyfriend Luke Cannon in February 2022. The British couple had consumed cocaine and GHB, a nervous system depressant, before engaging in sexual activity at Cannon’s home. Brooke lost consciousness after Cannon choked her, prompting him to call emergency services in a panic. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Brooke died from cardiac arrest.

Following her death, West Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation and began searching for Cannon, who had gone missing. He was later found dead by hanging in a forest near the hospital.

An investigation into the deaths concluded recently, with Brooke’s mother, Samantha Beaumont, accusing Cannon of being “controlling” and “coercive.” Beaumont claimed that Cannon dictated what Brooke wore and that her behavior had changed since they began dating in 2021. In contrast, Cannon’s brother described him as a “generous person” who “genuinely cared” for Brooke.

The case has sparked significant public and political reaction. UK MP Laura Farris condemned the normalization of strangulation in sexual contexts, announcing a forthcoming change in the law to impose harsher penalties for such homicides. “It’s too late for Georgia, but it’s her I’m thinking of today,” Farris said.

Text messages revealed during the investigation indicated that Brooke had previously consented to choking during sexual activities. However, a UK court ruled her death as an “unlawful killing,” citing that Cannon used “excessive” force. The post-mortem examination determined the principal cause of death to be “forceful and prolonged” neck compression.

UK lawmaker Harriet Harman criticized the handling of the case on social media, expressing deep sympathy for Brooke’s family and condemning what she perceived as victim-blaming by the police and coroner.