Deceased
Joseph Frederick WOODS
Demographics
34y, male
Coroner
Coroner King
Date of death
2015-08-29
Finding date
2018-12-12
Cause of death
cardiorespiratory arrest during struggle and restraint in a man with methylamphetamine effect and focal coronary artery atherosclerosis
AI-generated summary
A 34-year-old man with methylamphetamine intoxication (blood level 1.2 mg/L) and focal coronary artery atherosclerosis died from cardiorespiratory arrest during a struggle and restraint by a homeowner and subsequent police officers. The deceased had entered the homeowner's carport, was restrained face-up then prone, police handcuffed him, and he was found unresponsive. Paramedics and hospital staff attempted resuscitation without success. The coroner found restraint did not cause asphyxiation and force was reasonable. Death resulted from cardiac arrhythmia triggered by extreme physical exertion during struggle combined with methylamphetamine's cardiac effects and pre-existing coronary atherosclerosis. No clinician error was identified. The case highlights how acute sympathomimetic toxicity combined with underlying coronary disease creates sudden cardiac death risk during exertion, even with reasonable restraint techniques.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Procedures
33y · Male·Heat stroke (environmental exposure) in a man with methylamphetamine effect
Travis Hart, 33, died from heat stroke with methylamphetamine effect after abandoning a vehicle during a police intercept in bushland near Kalgoorlie on 25 December 2022. He became separated from companions and was found…
64y · Female·phosphine toxicity from deliberate ingestion of aluminium phosphide fumigation p…
Janice Croft, 64, died from phosphine toxicity after deliberately ingesting fumigation pellets during a police intervention on her property facing eviction for mortgage default. Ms Croft had long-standing bipolar disorde…
27y · Female·Multiple injuries sustained in motor vehicle collision
A 27-year-old woman under the influence of alcohol and methylamphetamine deliberately drove her van head-on into oncoming traffic on Forrest Highway, resulting in her death. Police had attempted to intercept her for dang…
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