Finding into death of Raymond Charles Levy

75y · Male·Aspiration pneumonia in the setting of epilepsy and cerebral palsy

Raymond Charles Levy, a 75-year-old man with cerebral palsy and epilepsy living in supported disability accommodation, died from aspiration pneumonia. He presented to hospital with fatigue, fever and cough on 18 October 2023 and was admitted with suspected sepsis. He rapidly deteriorated developing severe hypoxia and aspiration pneumonia, despite receiving appropriate antibiotics. A palliative approach was adopted given his severe illness and pre-morbid condition. The coroner found his death resulted from natural causes and identified no issues with care provided by disability support or hospital staff. The case highlights the vulnerability of people with severe neurological disabilities to aspiration-related complications, despite documented high-risk status and mealtime management plans.