Finding into death of Dianne Rose Guthrie

FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 1412/09

Inquest into the Death of DIANNE ROSE GUTHRIE

Delivered On: 21 May 2010

• Delivered At: Melbourne Hearing Dates: | 21 May 2010 Findings of: KIM PARKINSON Place of -death/

Suspected death: 2-10 Bridge Road, Melton South, Victoria 3338

SCAU: . Senior Constable K. Ramsay

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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 1412/09

In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne J, KIM PARKINSON, Coroner

having investigated the death of:

Details of deceased: Surname: GUTHRIE Firstname: DIANNE Address: 2-10 Bridge Road, Melton South, Victoria 3338

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 21 May 2010 at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was DIANNE ROSE GUTHRIE and death occurred on 5th March, 2009

at 2-10 Bridge Road, Melton South, Victoria 3338

from .

la, UNASCERTAINED in the following circumstances:

1. Ms Dianne Rose Guthrie was born on 1 September 1970 and she was 38 years of age at the time of her death. Ms Guthrie was a recipient of disability residential services provided by the Department of Human Services pursuant to the Disability Act 2006. She

‘ was intellectually disabled as a result of a fall when aged 7 or-8 years of age. She was under the care of the Department of Human Serviccs and a resident of Meadowbrook Special Residential Services 2-10 Bridge Road, Melton South 3338. She had lived at the facility since November 2006. She resided at the facility with her partner, Mr Dennis McClean. Ms Guthrie suffered with obesity and her father reports that she suffered with myotonic dystrophy. Her General Practitioner reported that she had suffered with gallstones and elevated cholesterol in August 2008. The latter being treated with lifestyle management. No other significant health problems were apparent,

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2, Ms Guthrie was a person’ in care as defined by s3(d) of the Coroners Act 2008 ("the , Act") and accordingly her death was reportable pursuant to s5(c) of that Act. An inquest into her death is mandatory pursuant to s52(2)(b) of the Act. This inquest has proceeded by summary of the circumstances.

3. On 4 March Ms Guthrie went to bed at approximately 10pm. Her partner, Mr McClean reports that she seemed her usual self and that she went to sleep at approximately 11pm.

She had been observed by a staff member, Ms Leanne Oliver lo perhaps be suffering with a cold and a note was made to keep an cye upon her. However she did not complain during the evening of feeling unwell and would usually do so, At 6am’ on 5 March, 2009, Mr McClean reports that she awoke and sat on the edge of the bed. He reported that he told her to get back into bed which she did. At approximately 9am she was located unresponsive and attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

4. An autopsy conducted by Dr David Ranson, a Senior Forensic Pathologist and Assistant Director of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. He reported that the cause of death was unable to be ascertained. He commented that the autopsy revealed some evidence of muscle wasting in the arms and hands as well as generalised obesity and that little in the way of significant natural disease was identified on internal examination macroscopically. The toxicology report was negative for ethanol or common drugs and poisons. There was no evidence of any injury.

5. Having considered the available evidence I am satisfied that Ms Dianne Rose Guthrie died on 5 March 2009 from unascertained causes. There. were no suspicious circumstances relating to her death. The cause of Ms Guthrie’s death is unascertained but likely from natural causes.

Signature:

)

Kim M.W. Parkinson Coroner Date: 21 May 2010

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