Jason Hoganson, a former actor released early from prison as part of an effort to reduce overcrowding, died in April due to natural causes linked to drug use, a Newcastle coroner's court heard. Hoganson, 55, was found dead while homeless, with the coroner citing broncopneumonia as the official cause of death. Drug addiction was noted as a significant contributing factor.

Hoganson had gained some recognition for his lead role as a drifter named Pete in the 1987 gangster film *Empire State*. However, his acting career was derailed by struggles with substance abuse and criminal activity. In September 2024, he was released from Durham prison after serving half of an 18-month sentence for assaulting his former partner.

The day following his release, Hoganson was arrested again in Newcastle for slapping the same woman at her residence. Over the years, Hoganson had faced continued personal challenges, including problems with alcohol and drugs, which greatly affected his life post-acting career. Coroner Georgina Nolan delivered a narrative conclusion to the case, confirming the cause of death while acknowledging the role of drug addiction in his decline.