The family of a 16-year-old boy who died on Sunday after falling ill at the Leeds festival have described him as “a lovely character, fiercely independent and warm”.
David Celino, who police named on Monday, was taken to hospital on Saturday night after possibly taking ecstasy in a “gray or black oblong form”.
A police investigation has been launched into the cause of his death, but it is believed to be an isolated incident.
David was from Worsley in Greater Manchester and was at the festival with friends last week celebrating getting good grades in his GCSEs.
In a tribute, his family said: “Our David was a beautiful, fiercely independent and warm character who lived every day at 110% and loved spending time enjoying music with his friends.
“He had just received fabulous GCSE results, entered university and had hoped to study IT at a top university.
“Leeds festival was the highlight of his summer; ultimately it was to take his life in the most unjust, cruel and horrific way, and we are heartbroken.”
His death follows a review by Leeds City Council and Festival Republic organizers into whether 16- and 17-year-olds can attend the festival without an adult.
This was prompted by the deaths of Anya Buckley, 17, at the festival in 2019, Lewis Haunch, 17, in 2016 and James Houghton, 19, in 2013. All three had taken ecstasy before their deaths .
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson, West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the boy who has died, and we have officers supporting them at this very difficult time.
“While the exact cause of his death has yet to be established, one line of inquiry is that he had taken a particular type of ecstasy tablet (MDMA), which was described as a gray or black oblong shape .
“At this time this is believed to be an isolated incident as we have not received any similar reports.”
The Leeds festival website has a section warning about ecstasy deaths. He says: “In 2005 each pill contained around 80mg of MDMA. Some recent pills have tested higher than 250mg of MDMA. This could be firmly in the fatal overdose range.
“There is a combination of factors at play such as body weight, hormone levels, mixing with other drugs including alcohol, underlying health, etc. There is no safe dose.”