The London Bridge terror attackers who killed eight people had taken large amounts of steroids, a court heard today.
Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, ploughed into pedestrians in a white van on the bridge before stabbing victims in the nearby market with 12-inch ceramic knives on June 3 last year.
The attack lasted from 10.07 to 10.16pm when the attackers, who killed eight people in total, were shot dead by police at the scene.
Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba had large amounts of steroids in their systems when they carried out the London Bridge terror attack, a coroner has heard
The trio were shot by police after killing eight people in their rampage last summer
Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, and Frenchman Xavier Thomas, 45, died as a result of the van attack. Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39, died as a result of the knife attack.
Chief Coroner of England and Wales Mark Lucraft QC, leading the inquest, started the pre-inquest hearing by expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, who were present at the Old Bailey today.
Jonathan Hough QC told the court that a toxicologist would be required for the inquest to prepare a report on the potential steroid use of the attackers.
He said: ‘Analysis of samples taken from the attackers revealed the presence of DHEA, a steroid hormone, above the acceptable physiological range in each of the attackers.
‘These findings suggest use of the steroid DHEA recently prior to death i.e. in a period ranging from several hours to days before death.
‘A suitable expert has been instructed to prepare a report on the implications of these findings.’
(Top row left to right) Canadian Christine Archibald, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, chef Sebastien Belanger and (bottom row left to right) Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, Australian Sara Zelenak, Xavier Thomas and Spanish banker Ignacio Echeverria died in the attack
The chief coroner for England and Wales is holding a pre-inquest hearin into the deaths from the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack.
Coroner Mark Lucraft QC is expected to give initial directions to pave the way for a “rigorous and thorough” investigation during the hearing at the Old Bailey.
He is responsible for the inquests into the deaths of the eight victims as well as those of the terrorists.
The coroner is being assisted by Jonathan Hough QC and Aaron Moss as counsel to the London Bridge and Borough Market Inquests.
The hearing continues.