Arrests after film maker dies

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a documentary maker who was sleeping rough in Newcastle as part of an investigation into homelessness. Two men, aged 26 and 30, have been held on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

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Filmmaker's post-mortem 'inconclusive'

A post-mortem examination on a young filmmaker whose body was found in a derelict building was inconclusive, an inquest has heard.

Lee Halpin

Lee Halpin, 26, had planned to spend a week living on the streets in his home city of Newcastle to experience what it was like to be homeless.

Coroner David Mitford said further inquiries would now take place and he adjourned the inquest until more information had been gathered.

  1. Tyne Tees

Channel 4 response to 'homeless experience' death

Lee Halpin was apparently filming a documentary about homelessness in an attempt to get on a Channel 4 journalism course.

He was spending a week sleeping rough when he was found dead in a derelict hostel in Newcastle on Wednesday morning.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of this aspiring young journalist.

"Our thoughts are with his family”

– Channel 4 spokesperson

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What more do we know about Lee Halpin?

Lee Halpin was found dead in a derelict building in Newcastle after he decided to sleep rough as part of a documentary about homelessness. Here's what is known about him:

  • 26 years old
  • Attended Heaton Manor School
  • Studied a creative writing MA at Newcastle University
  • Was applying for an investigative journalism course with Channel 4
  • Worked at Northumbria Students' Union and founded an arts magazine
  • Friends said his passions were creative writing and poetry

Lee Halpin wanted his film to 'make a difference'

Someone who knew Lee Halpin has left this tribute to him on a Facebook page for a film organisation that he was associated with:

Lee Halpin has passed away during a fearless conception of a documentary he hoped would be seen by thousands of people and make an impact raising awareness about homelessness.

Sleeping rough for one week with no holds barred, he was chasing a dramatic narrative, a rebirth as a human and film that would make a difference.

With a BANG and a strong seed planted he has departed and I will do everything I can to finish this film and make the mark he hoped to leave.

Lee Halpin asks to borrow sleeping bag in final tweets

These are believed to be Lee Halpin's last tweets before he was found dead on Wednesday.

He tweeted under the name of Nozel Magazine - the arts publication he co-founded.

Two men arrested following death of young filmmaker

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a young filmmaker who was sleeping rough as part of a documentary he was making about homelessness.

Lee Halpin, 26, had decided to spend the week living on the streets in his home city of Newcastle to experience what it was like to be homeless.

Northumbria Police say they have now arrested two men, aged 26 and 30, on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

The police said the men have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Read: Filmmaker 'froze to death' reporting on homelessness

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Filmmaker 'froze to death' reporting on homelessness

A young filmmaker is believed to have frozen to death as he made a documentary about sleeping rough on the streets.

Lee Halpin, 26, had planned to spend a week living on the streets in his home city of Newcastle to experience what it was like to be homeless.

Speaking on a YouTube video, he said the project was part of an application for an investigative journalism course and that he intended to "immerse" himself in the lifestyle of a homeless person.

He embarked upon his project on Sunday but was apparently found dead three days later in a derelict building in the West End of the city.

The cause of death is still not known, but one of his friends told the Evening Chronicle he believes Lee may have succumbed to hypothermia.

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