Demographics
84y, male
Date of death
2019-05-26
Finding date
2022-02-18
Cause of death
Overdose of prescription morphine (Ordine oral morphine liquid), self-administered with intent to end life
AI-generated summary
An 84-year-old man with advanced emphysema, colorectal cancer history, and severe functional decline took an intentional overdose of prescription morphine at home. In the weeks before death, he experienced progressive dyspnoea limiting him to walking 5-10 metres, weight loss, and difficulty with self-care. A GP home visit on 23 May offered hospital admission and palliative care, which he declined, requesting only symptomatic relief. He was prescribed morphine liquid with dosing instructions. The following day he ingested a lethal dose, leaving a typed suicide note expressing concerns about becoming a burden and loss of independence. His family had no warning signs and were unaware of suicidal intent. The coroner found the death was not preventable given the concealment of his decision and the absence of discernible risk indicators that family or clinicians could reasonably have detected.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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