Jacob Bean: Investigation launched after paedophile, 24, dies in HMP Rochester prison

CONTENT WARNING: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

An investigation has been launched after a convicted paedophile was found dead in his prison cell.

Jacob Bean, 24, was found unresponsive by another inmate and though attempts were made to revive him, he died at HMP Rochester prison in Kent on September 7.

Bean had been sentenced to prison after he used Snapchat and Whatsapp to groom a 10-year-old girl.

He sent the victim horrific videos of child abuse and other explicit images, and encouraged the girl to perform sex acts on herself.

At the time he was convicted in November 2024, he was still under investigation for grooming three more young girls using Snapchat. He was also being investigated in relation to indecent images, The Mirror reported.

Coroner Sarah Clarke has launched an inquest into his death, the cause of which remains unascertained.

Ms Clarke said Bean had reported not feeling well on August 31 and was having difficulty breathing while experiencing chest pain.

He was assessed at Medway Maritime Hospital and then returned to the prison the following day.

It was a week later when Bean went to take a shower before coming back to his cell, where he was found unresponsive.

Despite prompt responses by emergency services, Bean died just after 12.30pm.

The inquest has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review in March 2026.

At Bean’s sentencing, the victim’s father told Canterbury Crown Court he felt he had failed as a father.

“As a father you never want anything bad to happen to your children. You do what you can to protect them and right now I feel like I have failed,” he wrote in a statement.

“My 10-year-old daughter has been exposed to one of the world’s greatest evils. We have lost our daughter, the way we knew her to be.”

Bean had pleaded guilty to a slew of child sex offences, including sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and making indecent images.

He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison. After his release, Bean would have been required to adhere to sex offender notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.