Umut Selek, aged 23, died in police custody following apprehension under the Mental Health Act 1986. He presented with acute agitation, aggression, and unusual strength after what appears to be a mental health or drug-related crisis. After a 20-minute restraint involving multiple officers at a police station, he was sedated with 5mg intramuscular Midazolam by ambulance officers. He subsequently suffered cardiac arrest during transport to hospital. Despite extensive autopsy and investigation, the precise cause of death remains unascertained. The coroner excluded positional asphyxia, Midazolam toxicity, and closed head injury. Evidence suggests metabolic and biochemical derangements from prolonged struggling, combined with mild coronary artery narrowing and possible underlying brain pathology, may have contributed. The coroner noted the family should have been informed of the change in hospital destination.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
prolonged struggling and restraint with consequent metabolic and biochemical derangements
mild coronary artery narrowing
small focus of myocarditis
possible underlying brain pathology with established axonal injury
acute mental health crisis or drug toxicity (cause unclear)
Coroner's recommendations
Victoria Police to review its processes and training to ensure all reasonable attempts are made to contact relevant family members when a person is apprehended under the Mental Health Act and circumstances change, particularly regarding changes in destination hospital or custody location.
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