An inquest into the death of a Cardiff drag performer found under cardboard boxes has heard tributes describing him as caring and central to the city’s gay community, whilst questions remain over the circumstances of his death.
Darren Meah-Moore, 39, who performed as Crystal Couture and CC Quinn, was discovered partially covered by flattened cardboard boxes in a car park near Pulse nightclub in January 2023. A 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter was subsequently released without charge.
The four-day inquest at Pontypridd heard testimony from Meah-Moore’s father and husband, also called Darren, who described him as a talented gymnast and successful entrepreneur running jewellery company Bling Bling Bling UK, which supplied pieces featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Nightclub manager Sean Rogers discovered the body after learning of the disappearance from Meah-Moore’s husband on the morning of 22 January. Rogers told the inquest he could see part of the performer’s dress from the previous night when he checked the car park.
Upon exiting his vehicle, Rogers found the body covered with boxes that had “definitely been placed on top of him” and were “covering a large part of his body”. He attempted to rouse his friend before calling emergency services and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Meah-Moore was pronounced dead at the scene.
The inquest heard Meah-Moore was last seen at 5am leaving the nightclub in drag, wearing a green dress and blonde wig. A club worker reported seeing him enter the nearby car park with another man shortly before his disappearance.
His husband reported him missing the following morning, prompting Rogers to conduct the search that led to the discovery.
A family tribute released at the time stated: “Darren Moore was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was always the life and soul where ever he went, he was our social butterfly. He made sure he had a lot of time for people, and never judged others.”
The statement added that Meah-Moore’s husband and family requested privacy to grieve whilst thanking supporters for their assistance.
South Wales Police confirmed at the time that a man had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter before being released without charge. An earlier inquest hearing was told the cause of death remained pending a pathologist’s decision.
Court records show Meah-Moore received a conviction in 1999 for child rape relating to a sex attack on a boy.
The inquest, which began at Pontypridd and is scheduled to last four days, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding his death. Further evidence is expected to be heard regarding the events of 22 January and the investigation that followed.
