A man has been sentenced to four years in prison following the tragic death of Michael Barron. Josh Baxter, 28, conducted a disturbing Google search shortly after the incident. Baxter had invited Michael, 38, who had roles in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, to his residence in Manchester after they communicated through the dating app, Grindr.

Michael passed away after an intense sexual encounter with Baxter, during which he was restrained with rope, leading to suffocation lasting over thirty minutes. Despite denying charges of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm during the trial, Baxter was found not guilty of manslaughter but guilty of intentional strangulation or suffocation and unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Following their encounter, Baxter searched online for information related to the consequences of accidentally causing death through strangulation during sex. Additionally, he ordered food delivery while engaging in conversations with other men on Grindr.

During sentencing, Judge Tina Landale criticized Baxter for his reckless behavior, emphasizing the danger of his actions. The prosecution revealed Baxter’s explicit messages to Michael regarding his specific sexual preferences, including rough activities and role-playing scenarios.

Mary Power, Michael’s grieving mother, expressed heartfelt tributes to her son, describing him as her best friend and a kind-hearted individual. Baxter, in his defense, claimed the neck injury was accidental and that their activities were consensual. Prior to Michael’s death, Baxter had been warned about the dangers of choking by another individual.

The tragic incident resulted in Michael suffering a cardiac arrest due to oxygen deprivation to the brain. Baxter’s online searches post-incident included inquiries about identifying signs of life and breathing in individuals.