Erwin James Monahan, a former murderer turned celebrated journalist, tragically drowned after slipping from a pontoon at Brixham Marina. Known professionally as Erwin James, he had previously made headlines for his poignant prison writings during a 20-year incarceration for two murders committed in 1984.
Born in Clevedon, James transformed his life behind bars by earning a history degree and developing a respected career as a journalist. He penned the Guardian column “A Life Inside,” which was the UK’s first of its kind, offering a rare perspective from inside prison walls. Additionally, he authored three books, served as editor of the prison newspaper Inside Time until 2023, and was a sought-after public speaker.
The inquest at Devon Coroner’s Court revealed that James was staying on his boat, Faithful, at Brixham Marina while his home in Wales was under renovation. On the evening of January 19, 2024, after visiting the Blue Anchor pub, CCTV footage showed him walking unsteadily along the pontoon before falling over a railing and hitting his head. Though he managed to stand and move toward his boat, he fell into the water and was later found deceased by passersby the next morning.
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Coroner Alison Longhorn ruled the death accidental, citing alcohol intoxication as a contributing factor. “It was dark, cold, and the pontoon surface was slippery,” she explained, extending condolences to James’s family and friends.
James’s wife, Margaret Monahan, whom he met while incarcerated, shared insights into his troubled past and remarkable transformation. Despite a difficult childhood marked by the early loss of his mother and a troubled relationship with his alcoholic father, James was described as a kind, generous, and articulate man who battled lifelong struggles with alcohol. His rehabilitation efforts and positive impact as a role model were widely acknowledged.
A witness from the pub recalled a cheerful conversation with James about rehabilitation and his accomplishments, including a sold-out speech at the Sydney Opera House and attending a Christmas party hosted by author JK Rowling. Although tipsy, she did not perceive him as unsafe to navigate alone.
Emergency services were alerted on the morning of January 20, finding his body in the water. Staff at the marina noted James’s heavy daily whisky consumption, which likely impaired his balance that night. The post-mortem confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
Erwin James’s life was a testament to the possibility of personal change, leaving behind a legacy shaped by both tragedy and remarkable achievement.