A TEENAGE rap fan died after overdosing on the same deadly drug that killed his idol Lil Peep, an inquest heard.

Kieran Shepherd, 17, passed away four months after the troubled US rapper when he took Xanax at his girlfriend's flat.

3 Kieran Shepherd died after accidentally taking a Xanax overdose Credit: EUGENE HENDERSON

The teen had been "experimenting" with the tranquilliser, which can only be bought on the dark web, for two weeks before his death.

Cops have now issued an urgent warning over the drug over fears there could be an epidemic.

Chesterfield Coroners' Court heard how "a lot of people" in the area had been taking Xanax, with Kieran taking between ten and 15 tablets the day before he died.

The rap fan, who had listening to Lil Peep before his death, was discovered dead at girlfriend Erin Crick's flat on February 17.

3 The teenager idolised American rapper Lil Peep, who died from an overdose Credit: Getty - Contributor

She told the inquest Kieran had been "upset" as his granddad was sick and "fed up with college", adding: "I didn't think this would happen."

His dad Richard told the inquest his son was a "lovely kid" but was "easily led".

Mum Lisa Shepherd described him as a “caring and loving son” who had many interests including music, playing computer games and supporting his local football team Chesterfield.

Coroner Peter Nieto concluded Kieran's death was drug-related and said toxicology tests revealed the level of Xanax in his system was within the range capable of causing death.

He said: "It's clear he was a very recent user of Xanax, a very inexperienced user. There's no evidence he took the tablets to harm himself."

What is Xanax? Xanax is a benzodiazepine tranquiliser which has calming effect on users and is used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. While it is branded as Xanax, the drug is actually called alprazolam and is potentially addictive. The drug is part of the benzodiazepine group which also includes diazepam. It used to be marketed as Valium, and lorazepam.

3 Lil Peep took Zanax to try to treat his mental health problems Credit: Getty - Contributor

Lil Peep - real name was Gustav Elijah Åhr - was found dead on November 15, 2017 from an accidental fentanyl-xanax overdose.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which is used to treat anxiety and panic attacks, and is only available through a private prescription in the UK, not on the NHS.

The drugs work by slowing down the functions of the brain to level it out during periods of high stress, over excitement or anxiety.

But taking too much can result in total blackouts - with Public Health England revealing the number of children being treated for addiction to tranquillisers has doubled in a year, to more than 300.

Xanax and other tranquillisers are being bought online with no indication of strength - with 53 children receiving treatment in 2017-18.

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Speaking after the inquest, Derbyshire Constabulary said: "This is a tragic and unnecessary death of a young man.

"Kieran purchased what he believed to be Xanax tablets. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

"Tablets purchased illegally are unregulated and could be adulterated with any number of harmful substances.

"There is no way of determining what the strength of these tablets are, or if they are genuine or fake.

"We urge anyone who is worried about their mental health or wellbeing to contact their GP or ring mental health charity Mind on 0300 123 3393."

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