Adrian Smith, 48, was found dead on the M4 motorway after falling from a bridge and being struck by several vehicles on February 22, just a day after being confronted by online paedophile hunters. The married man from Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, had been accused of sending explicit pictures and messages to a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Smith was confronted and accused of paedophilia during a live stream by self-proclaimed “child protection service groups” on February 21. He was subsequently arrested by Avon and Somerset Police but released from custody without charge the following day.
Less than 24 hours later, at around 6:40 pm, Smith fell from a bridge over the M4 motorway north of Bristol. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and an investigation by Avon Coroners’ Court determined his cause of death as multiple injuries. Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp confirmed that Smith was identified by his fingerprints.
Statements will be taken from Smith’s doctor, family members, and witnesses to prepare a full post-mortem report for his inquest hearing, provisionally scheduled for June 11. The groups involved in the livestream later called for people to “allow his family to grieve in a respectful manner,” stating: “We exposed a pred and handed him to the police, we have no control over the choices made by him.”
Following the incident, Avon and Somerset Police referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard procedure when a death occurs following police contact. The force expressed gratitude to members of the public who provided information and urged those feeling distressed to seek support from their GP, Mind, or the Samaritans.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We understand this incident may be distressing for some people and we urge you to seek support should you need it. You can speak with your GP or reach out to charities such as Mind and Samaritans, who offer support online and over the phone. We would ask people not to speculate during this time and to respect the family’s privacy.”
The incident remains under investigation, with further details expected to emerge at the inquest in June.
