Inquest into the death of Paulo Melo

29y · Male·Blunt head and neck injuries sustained in an unintentional motor vehicle accident. Bronchopneumonia contributed to death.

A 29-year-old man sustained severe blunt head and cervical spinal cord injuries in a motor vehicle accident. He remained unconscious with high intracranial pressure and C5 spinal cord transection. After 12 days with no improvement, ICU specialists (supported by multiple consults) concluded ventilation was futile. The family strongly disagreed and sought external opinions. Three hours' notice was given before planned withdrawal on day 12; the family obtained court orders delaying this. Ventilation was withdrawn on day 15 after further discussions. The coroner found medical care appropriate, the prognosis assessment sound (99% chance of death, vegetative state, or severe disability), and withdrawal of futile treatment ethically justified, though more notice before the actual withdrawal time would have been preferable.