Deceased
Timothy Michael Hanley
Demographics
19y, male
Coroner
Hennessy
Date of death
2006-01-30
Finding date
2007-11-22
Cause of death
poisoning by diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan from 'Herbal Ecstasy'
AI-generated summary
Timothy Michael Hanley, aged 19, died from poisoning by diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan after ingesting 'Herbal Ecstasy' purchased online. This case highlights the dangers of unregulated internet-sourced compounds, particularly those marketed as herbal alternatives to controlled substances. The coroner found no suspicious circumstances. Clinicians should be aware that patients presenting with unexplained altered consciousness, seizures, or vital sign abnormalities may have ingested such compounds. Key lessons include: maintaining high suspicion for toxin exposure in young people with acute presentations; thorough substance use history taking; recognition that internet-sourced 'herbal' products may contain significant pharmaceutical agents; and public education about risks of unregulated compounds. Toxicology screening and poison centre consultation should be considered early in cases of acute unexplained illness.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS CORONERS COURT HENNESSY, Coroner
IN THE MATTER OF AN INQUEST INTO THE CAUSE AND CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF TIMOTHY MICHAEL HANLEY ROCKHAMPTON ..DATE 22/11/2007 FINDINGS WARNING: The publication of information or details likely to lead to the identification of persons in some proceedings is a criminal offence. This is so particularly in relation to the identification of children who are involved in criminal proceedings or proceedings for their protection under the Child Protection Act 1999, and complainants in criminal sexual offences, but is not limited to those categories. You may wish to seek legal advice before giving others access to the details of any person named in these proceedings.
22112007 T1/MLH/ROK M/T ROCK2/2007 (Hennessy, Coroner) CORONER: I find that the deceased was Timothy Michael Hanley, 1 born on the 9th of April 1986. He died at his home in Rockhampton on the 30th of January 2006 from poisoning by diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan after taking a compound referred to as Herbal Ecstasy which he apparently ordered over the internet and received by post. I'm satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and, as I said, those steps that are able to be undertaken in relation to warning members of the public and other persons regarding the dangers of this particular compound have been taken. I don't consider that there's anything further than I can usefully do in relation to this matter and I close the inquest.
----- 30
An 11-year-old boy died from brown snake envenomation after falling from a ride-on mower at a rural property. He exhibited early collapse symptoms (dizziness, vomiting, slurred speech) consistent with snake venom-induced…
This ruling addresses scope determination for an inquest into the death of Tristian James Frahm, an 11-year-old Aboriginal boy who died from brown snake envenomation while at his father's rural property in November 2021.…
Charlie Robertson, a 19-year-old university student, died from polydrug toxicity (cocaine, MDMA, and GHB) on 13 June 2015. During the early morning execution of a police search warrant at his home, seven Queensland Polic…
Source and disclaimer
This page reproduces or summarises information from publicly available findings published by Australian coroners' courts. Coronial is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any coronial court or government body.
Content may be incomplete, reformatted, or summarised. Some material may have been redacted or restricted by court order or privacy requirements. Always refer to the original court publication for the authoritative record.
Copyright in original materials remains with the relevant government jurisdiction. AI-generated summaries are for educational purposes only and must not be treated as legal documents. Report an inaccuracy.