Finding into death of Paul Kenneth Stephens
Deceased
PAUL KENNETH STEPHENS
Demographics
42y, male
Date of death
2008-03-21
Finding date
2011-05-13
Cause of death
Ischaemic heart disease with coronary atherosclerosis and thrombosis
AI-generated summary
Paul Stephens was a 42-year-old man with intellectual disability, asthma, Hepatitis C, and a history of polysubstance abuse and criminal offending. Released from prison on parole in August 2007, he was living in a supported residential placement in Croydon. He was receiving GP treatment for heroin dependence (Suboxone) and benzodiazepine dependence (Valium). Days before his death, he complained of bilateral arm pain and vomiting, with increased alcohol consumption. He died at home on 21 March 2008, likely in his sleep. Post-mortem examination revealed ischaemic heart disease with coronary atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Toxicological analysis showed high buprenorphine levels, therapeutic benzodiazepines, and cannabis use, but these were not considered to have directly contributed to his death given his underlying heart disease. The coroner found Paul was appropriately housed, maintaining contact with Disability Services, and died from natural disease rather than preventable factors.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- coronary atherosclerosis
- coronary thrombosis
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