Coroner's Finding: DICKERSON Alexander Charles

79y · Male·multi-organ failure due to voluntary starvation on a background of severe depression

A 79-year-old man died from multi-organ failure secondary to voluntary starvation in the context of severe depression following his wife's death. He was admitted after police found him malnourished following 30 days of intentional food refusal. Despite appropriate medical and psychiatric interventions including nasogastric feeding, electroconvulsive therapy, and intensive supportive care, he continued refusing oral intake. His condition deteriorated acutely with dehydration, hypotension, respiratory failure, and sepsis. The coroner found that clinical staff provided appropriate treatment within the bounds of preserving dignity. All interventions were timely and appropriate. No preventable failures in care were identified.