Finding into death of Chas Birch

35y · Male·Multiple injuries from a fall from height (level 8 of multi-level car park at 10 Latrobe Street, Melbourne)

A 35-year-old lawyer died from multiple injuries sustained in a fall from a car park at 10 Latrobe Street, Melbourne at approximately 11:10pm on 28 May 2008. The coroner concluded that while evidence was consistent with an intention to take his own life, the weight of evidence did not support a finding of intentional suicide, nor involvement of a third party. The death appears to have resulted from a fall or jump from level 8 of the car park. The coroner made no finding as to Mr Birch's state of mind at the time. Key factors included a blood alcohol level of 0.20% (four times the legal driving limit), which caused significant intoxication and impaired decision-making. Clinical lessons include recognition that fatal intoxication can occur without obvious early warning signs, and the importance of comprehensive scene investigation and forensic pathology in unclear deaths.