Finding into death of Christian Gonzalo Diaz

28y · Male·hypoxic brain injury presumed to have occurred as a direct result from toxicity to heroin

Christian Gonzalo Diaz, 28, died from hypoxic brain injury following presumed heroin toxicity on 9 January 2008. He was an involuntary psychiatric inpatient with schizophrenia and substance abuse history when he absconded from escorted leave on 5 January 2008. He was found collapsed in Richmond with a syringe and underwent resuscitation but suffered irreversible hypoxic brain injury. The coroner found no evidence linking his hospital management to his absconding or death. Risk assessments for leave were appropriate and documented. The coroner concluded the death was an unintended consequence of intentional illicit drug use, not suicide, and was unrelated to his status as a person in care. No recommendations were made.