UPDATE: A **38-year-old man** was allegedly killed during a **high-risk sexual encounter** arranged through **Grindr**, a popular dating app, as details emerge in a trial at **Minshull Street Crown Court**. The shocking incident, which unfolded on **January 26, 2025**, has sent ripples through the community as prosecutors reveal disturbing allegations against **Josh Baxter**, **28**, who is on trial for manslaughter.
Jurors heard that **Michael Barron** met Baxter online, where they exchanged explicit messages about their sexual preferences, including **choking, bondage**, and **alcohol consumption**. Prosecutors claim Baxter encouraged Barron to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, ultimately rendering him unconscious.
Prosecutors allege that Baxter restrained Barron face-down on a bed for an extended period, then reportedly choked him with such force that he fractured his neck, leading to **cerebral hypoxia** and a subsequent cardiac arrest. Barron tragically died shortly thereafter.
After the encounter, Baxter allegedly conducted Google searches asking, “If you accidentally kill someone by strangling them in sex do you go to prison?” This alarming detail suggests a premeditated indifference to Barron’s life. He also messaged other men on Grindr after the incident, displaying a chilling detachment from the gravity of the situation.
Prosecutor Anna Whyte KC presented evidence that Baxter had expressed a desire for “rough” sexual activities, revealing a disturbing pattern of behavior. Text messages indicated he intended to “force feed” Barron vodka until he was defenseless, stating, “I cannot wait to make you my rape toy.”
The court was informed that after the encounter, Baxter ordered food via **Deliveroo** and attempted to source **Ketamine**, indicating a lack of concern for Barron’s well-being. When he finally called for an ambulance, prosecutors claim he displayed a shocking indifference, stating he had gone to get food and returned to find Barron unresponsive with a **purple face**.
The trial, expected to last two weeks, will delve deeper into the events leading up to Barron’s death and the disturbing dynamics of their encounter. Baxter has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including manslaughter and unlawful bodily harm.
As this case unfolds, it raises urgent questions about **consent**, **safety**, and the potential dangers of high-risk sexual activities. The courtroom remains tense as jurors grapple with the harrowing details of Barron’s final moments, which prosecutors argue were marked by recklessness and a disregard for human life.
What happens next? The trial continues as the prosecution prepares to present further evidence, while the defense is expected to counter with their own narrative. The implications of this case are profound, as society reflects on the intersection of sexuality and safety in modern dating culture.
Stay tuned for more developments as this tragic story unfolds.
