Finding into death of Jessinda Kiroyan

41y · Female·Nitrate/nitrite toxicity

Jessinda Kiroyan, a 41-year-old woman with a longstanding history of bipolar affective disorder, died from nitrate/nitrite toxicity in May 2019 after intentionally ingesting sodium nitrite obtained from a food ingredient supplier. She had ceased psychiatric treatment in 2014 despite a diagnosis requiring ongoing management. The coroner's investigation identified a marked increase in sodium nitrite suicides in Victoria since 2017, with 20 confirmed cases between 2000 and 2020. The finding highlights potential prevention opportunities including: clinician education about recognising methaemoglobinaemia and using methylene blue as antidote therapy, restricting online suicide method information, secure workplace storage of sodium nitrite, and improved investigation protocols to identify sources and learning pathways. The case underscores the importance of sustained mental health engagement for patients with chronic psychiatric conditions and the emerging public health challenge of sodium nitrite-facilitated suicide.