Independent Swedish MP William Petzäll was found dead at his mother’s home in Varberg on September 1st.
A report by the Aftonbladet newspaper said on Sunday that 24 year-old Petzäll, who stepped down from his seat in parliament last year amid a battle with drug addiction, was confirmed dead on Saturday by the Swedish Drug Users Union (Svenska Brukarföreningen) and his mother.
Varberg police authorities have launched an investigation but said that no foul play is suspected. According to the Swedish Drug Users Union, the death was likely the result of an overdose.
The organisation said on its website, “A friend is gone. William died today. We understand that it was drugs, we know the terrible situation in which he found himself. We heard his calls for help,” The Local.se reports.
The young minister was convicted of drug charges in May for not having a prescription for medication he was using.
He later went on to criticise the justice system for its handling of drug addicts, telling reporters from The Local, “It’s ridiculous to punish people who are suffering from addiction. It’s horrible that drug addicts are stigmatised in the way they are. You can’t stereotype immigrants or homosexuals, but all drug users are lumped together into a group that deserves to be punished with fines or prison.”