Coronial
VICmental health

Finding into death of Ralph Graeme Keat

Deceased

Ralph Graeme Keat

Demographics

64y, male

Date of death

2010-04-14

Finding date

2011-05-17

Cause of death

Unascertained natural causes, possibly cardiac arrhythmia, metabolic disturbance or seizure

AI-generated summary

Ralph Graeme Keat, a 64-year-old man with frontal lobe dementia, depression, and hypertension, was admitted as an involuntary patient to Kingston Centre mental health unit on 12 April 2010 for management of worsening dementia and possible psychoses. His clinical presentation included bizarre behaviour, withdrawal, possible hallucinations, and insomnia. Admission vitals and blood tests were normal. On 14 April 2010, after hourly nursing observations, Mr Keat was found unresponsive in the bathroom, slumped over the sink. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted but unsuccessful. The forensic pathologist performing post-mortem examination could not ascertain a specific cause of death. Toxicological analysis showed only therapeutic levels of his regular medications (carbamazepine and temazepam). The coroner concluded the death was from unascertained causes most likely related to natural causes, possibly cardiac arrhythmia, metabolic disturbance, or seizure. No issues with medical management were identified.

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

Contributing factors

  • Frontal lobe dementia
  • Depression
  • Hypertension
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