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Finding into death of Dean Withall

Deceased

Dean Withall

Demographics

30y, male

Date of death

2008-08-14

Finding date

2009-12-01

Cause of death

Alcohol and drug toxicity

AI-generated summary

Dean Withall, 30 years old, died on 14 August 2008 from combined alcohol and heroin (morphine) toxicity. He had a long-standing history of drug and alcohol abuse and was unemployed. Recently released from prison on 4 August after completing drug rehabilitation programs, he was receiving case management support for housing and employment. On 13 August afternoon, he attended a friend's premises in Richmond where he consumed alcohol and injected heroin with companions. The following morning, he was found cyanosed and unresponsive and was pronounced dead. Toxicology revealed blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% and morphine 8.0mg/L. The coroner found no evidence of suicidal intent, determining the death was accidental. No autopsy was performed due to family objection.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • Long-standing history of drug and alcohol abuse
  • Recent release from prison
  • Consumption of alcohol and heroin together
  • Heroin injection
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