Inquest into the death of Marie Kirwin
Deceased
Marie Kirwin
Demographics
39y, female
Date of death
2002-09-15
Finding date
2004-12-24
Cause of death
drowning associated with drug toxicity
AI-generated summary
Marie Kirwin, aged 39, died by drowning in her home swimming pool in the early hours of 15 September 2002. Toxicological analysis revealed a toxic level of temazepam (1.2 mg/L) and therapeutic level of promethazine in her blood; these drugs have additive/synergistic effects increasing CNS depression and drowsiness. The deceased had a documented history of prescription and non-prescription drug abuse, and her doctor had previously ceased prescribing temazepam due to concerns about addiction. The clinical lesson is the significant danger of sedative drug combinations, particularly in patients with substance abuse history. Risk factors included her use of alcohol and medications for sleep management, and anxiety. The coroner found the death probably accidental, though circumstances remained somewhat unclear due to lack of witnesses. Better monitoring of patients on sedative medications and awareness of drug interactions might have prevented this tragedy.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- toxic level of temazepam in blood (1.2 mg/L)
- therapeutic level of promethazine (phenergan) in blood
- additive/synergistic toxicity of combined sedative drugs
- history of prescription and non-prescription drug abuse
- history of anxiety and sleep disturbance
- regular alcohol use
- access to temazepam prescribed to husband in week prior to death
- impaired consciousness likely while sitting at pool edge
Full text
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