Inquest into the death of Ronald Reeves

70y · Male·The combined effects of the complications of ventilation associated pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy following a medical event of unknown aetiology

Ronald Reeves, a 70-year-old man on remand at Goulburn Correction Centre, was found unconscious on 22 April 2019 and transferred to Canberra Hospital where he died on 17 May 2019. The cause of death was complications of ventilation-associated pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy following an unknown triggering event. Possible causes included his extensive ischaemic heart disease (which could have caused an arrhythmia), quetiapine toxicity causing respiratory depression, or undetected infection. The coroner found no evidence that custodial or medical care was inappropriate, and no action could have altered the outcome. The underlying medical event could not be determined.