Finding into death of Phillip Henry Reidy

27y · Male·Cyanide toxicity

Phillip Reidy, 27, died from cyanide toxicity after ingesting sodium cyanide during police arrest for a family violence incident. He had purchased 250g of sodium cyanide online from Bacto Laboratories using false information claiming scientific research purposes. Police were not informed of the cyanide's presence due to an omission in the briefing process. During arrest at his home, while being handcuffed, Reidy requested bathroom access. Once the handcuff was removed, he quickly consumed the cyanide and collapsed within seconds. Despite immediate first aid and paramedic resuscitation efforts, he died at the scene. The coroner found the police response appropriate but criticised Bacto Laboratories for failing to conduct adequate enquiries to verify the false End User Declaration, highlighting regulatory gaps in Schedule 7 poison supply between states.