A British priest, who died in late September while staying with a colleague in Antwerp, passed away due to MDMA consumption, according to the latest autopsy results.
The Antwerp Prosecutor’s Office released the findings on Wednesday after conducting a post-mortem investigation. The investigation is ongoing, officials added.
The events occurred in Kalmthout (Antwerp province) during Pope Francis’s visit to Belgium. The initial investigation revealed that the two priests had taken ecstasy and poppers, and had also engaged in sexual activities.
After his British colleague fell ill, the host contacted the emergency services on Thursday night. They tried to resuscitate the victim, but without success.
On the scene, the police, the forensic laboratory and the coroner carried out the initial examinations. The precise cause of death was undetermined at the time, as the autopsy on the victim's body was unable to reach any conclusions.
The priest who was hosting his British colleague was also briefly detained following his colleague's death but has since been released under certain conditions.
Authorities now want to determine how the victim obtained the drug and if the visiting priest bears any responsibility.
