Deceased
Matthew Robert Frandsen
Demographics
41y, male
Coroner
Coroner John Olle
Date of death
2011-06-16
Finding date
2013-06-12
Cause of death
mixed drug toxicity (ethanol, amitriptyline, methadone, morphine, diazepam, temazepam and oxazepam)
AI-generated summary
Matthew Frandsen, a 41-year-old with longstanding illicit drug and alcohol use disorder, died from mixed drug toxicity involving ethanol, methadone, morphine, amitriptyline, and benzodiazepines. He was found heavily intoxicated by police, who conveyed him to his friend's flat after he declined custody. Police advised against further alcohol consumption but did not arrange medical assessment or monitoring. Within hours, he was found unresponsive; his friend performed CPR after noting cyanosis. Post-mortem revealed evidence of recent intravenous drug use and chronic hepatitis. Clinical lessons include: recognising intoxicated individuals with polydrug use as requiring medical evaluation not just placement of care, understanding that brief police intervention lacks medical oversight, and considering addiction medicine and public health responses to reduce such preventable deaths.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Court Reference: COR 2011 2198
Form 37 Rule 60(1)
Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
Inquest into the Death of: MATTHEW ROBERT FRANDSEN
Delivered On: Delivered At: Hearing Dates:
Findings of:
Police Coronial Support Unit
12 June 2013
Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000
25 March 2013
Leading Senior Constable Tracey Ramsey
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J, JOHN OLLE, Coroner having investigated the death of MATTHEW ROBERT FRANDSEN
AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 25 March 2013
at MELBOURNE
find that the identity of the deceased was MATTHEW ROBERT FRANDSEN 9 February 1970
and the death occurred 16 June 2011
at Unit 8, 355 Bayswater Road, Bayswater North’3153
from:
l(a) MIXED DRUG TOXICITY (ETHANOL, AMITRIPTYLINE, METHADONE,
In the following circumstances:
lL.
Matthew Frandsen was aged 41 years at the time of his death. He was a long term user of
illicit drugs and alcohol.
On 16 June 2011, Matthew had been drinking heavily in company with Diane Crawford.
Matthew and Diane had previously been in a relationship. Matthew was sighted in and out of Diane’s premises throughout the course of the day. He was later seen to be staggering past the
flats.
Vehicles stopped to avoid striking Matthew as he crossed Canterbury Road.
He fell from his pushbike and police were called.
Police attended and found Matthew sitting on the footpath,
Though initially unresponsive, Matthew subsequently informed police that he’d been drinking heavily. He smelt strongly of alcohol. Matthew identified himself and said his friend Diane may look after him: He walked to the rear of the divisional van and was conveyed to Diane’s
flat.
-_. “At about-6.l0pm, police spoke with Diane Crawford _at Elat.8.and confirmed she knew
Matthew arid advised her of his situation. Diane initially seemed hesitant to have Matthew remain with her but after learning he would be lodged at Ringwood cells she
decided to have him stay there. Matthew climbed from the divisional van and entered
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the flat, Diane was advised by the members not to allow Matthew to consume any more
alcohol.
Matthew stated he was alright and thanked the police members for taking him home.
The police members then departed this location to continue their patrol duties,
At about 10.14pm, the same police members were allocated a task to re-attend the address of Flat 8 regarding a deceased male at that location. This task originated from the.Ambulance Service. Upon arrival three ambulance were already in attendance and advised police that Matthew was now deceased. Those occupiers present at that time in Flat 8 were Diane Crawford and Heidi Merton from Flat 7, Other police then arrived
and the premises secured.”
7, Tt appears Matthew entered the flat at around 6.10pm. Diane placed a pillow under his head and he appeared to be asleep. At some stage, Matthew obtained prescription medication,
which was subsequently found by police investigators.
She returned to the flat and spoke to Matthew, however, he did not reply. Diane noticed his lips were purple and he looked pale and she performed CPR. He commenced breathing and she continued to watch television believing him to be asleep. She later noticed “something
wrong”, alerted the neighbour and performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.
9, Diane later explained that Matthew had earlier taken Endep and would normally take five tablets,
“Examination of Matthew’s flat 4 revealed a collection of prescription medication. Also of note were items that appeared to have been recently used. These items consisted of three syringes, swabs, ‘spoons, water and a gas lighter trigger device. One of these syringes was uncapped and had been used (fully plunged) with a very small quantity of clear liquid remaining inside the tube. Immediately next to this syringe was a spoon ~-with-bum-marks on the bottom and-a-small-quantity-of white-powder-residue remaining
on the spoon,”
1 Police Summary rendered evidence.
2 Paragraph 19 Summary of coronial investigator,
3 of 4
Post Mortem Medical Examination
Forensic Medicine, performed an autopsy on the body of Matthew Frandsen. Dr Lynch-found
the cause of death to be mixed drug toxicity (ethanol, amitriptyline, methadone, morphine,
diazepam, temazepam and oxazepain),
ll. Dr Lynch commented:
Finding
“The cause of death in Mr Matthew Frandsen is mixed drug toxicity. Toxicological.
analysis detected ethanol, methadone, morphine, amitriptyline (and its metabolite nortriptyline), the benzodiazepines diazepam (and its metabolite nordiazepam), temazepam and oxazepam. Morphine is the principal metabolite of heroin. The heroin
specific metabolite 6-mono-acetyl-morphine was not detected.
According to the police report Mr Frandsen was discovered deceased at an address having been noted to be intoxicated the previous evening, At autopsy there was evidence of a recent venepuncture mark at the left cubital fossa, Examination of the liver revealed evidence of chronic hepatitis with features suggestive of chronic hepatitis co3
I find the cause of death of Matthew Frandsen to be mixed drug toxicity.
I direct that 4 copy of this findi
e be provided to the following:
Mr Robert Frandsen, nex{-of kin
Detective Leading 8
Signature:
ior Constable C, Wickham, Whitchorse CIU
Date:
~ ~ ae oN ae NM Sone i { H i [ !
3 Comments section Dr Lynch’s report.
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