Finding into death of Eoin Stephen Murray

30y · Male·Head injuries

Eoin Murray, aged 30, died from severe head injuries sustained when he fell striking his head on a bluestone gutter in Fitzroy early on 7 September 2013. He had been highly intoxicated (estimated BAC 0.13-0.21%) following a night out, and was found unconscious on the footpath. A verbal and physical altercation with Alexander Lazaridis occurred; Murray fell backwards striking the gutter edge, sustaining right subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhage with transtentorial herniation and occipital fracture. He underwent bilateral decompressive craniectomy but died on 12 September after withdrawal of life support. The coroner found this a tragic accident caused by Murray's severe intoxication and concluded Lazaridis did not deliberately assault or push Murray. No system failures or preventable medical errors were identified; the case focused on the circumstances of the fall itself.