Deceased
MIHAIL ANDRINOPOULOS
Demographics
73y, male
Coroner
Coroner Heather Spooner
Date of death
2012-05-03
Finding date
2014-01-30
Cause of death
UNASCERTAINED
AI-generated summary
A 73-year-old man with significant medical comorbidities (hypertension, chronic renal failure, depression) was found deceased in Port Phillip Bay. He had recently commenced dialysis after years of progressive kidney disease and documented poor medication compliance. He had chronic major depressive disorder with documented suicidal ideation explored by his psychologist, though he consistently denied intent to harm himself, expressing concern for his disabled son's welfare. The cause of death remains unascertained; drowning could not be confirmed with certainty. Clinical lessons include: early engagement with mental health services for patients facing major life changes like dialysis initiation; thorough suicide risk assessment in patients with chronic disease, depression, and major life stressors; and consideration of psychosocial support when patients face treatments they perceive as life-altering. The coroner found no evidence of foul play.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Court Reference: COR 2012 1564
Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
Inquest into the Death of: MIHATL ANDRINOPOULOS
Delivered On:
Delivered At:
Hearing Dates:
Findings of:
Police Coronial Support Unit
30 January 2014
Coroners Court of Victoria, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
20 November 2013
Leading Senior Constable Tania Cristiano
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~ I, HEATHER SPOONER, Coroner having investigated the death of MIHATL ANDRINOPOULOS
AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 20 November 2013
at Coroners Court of Victoria, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
find that the identity of the deceased was MIHAIL ANDRINOPOULOS
born on 20 June 1939
and the death occurred on 3 May 2012
at Parkdale Beach, Approximately 100 metres North of Parkdale Yacht Club, Parkdale 3195 from:
1(a) UNASCERTAINED
in the following circumstances:
Mihail Andrinopoulos was 73 years of age when he died. Mr Andrinopoulos resided at 11 William Street, Oakleigh with his wife and son.
Mr Andrinopoulos had a significant medical history including hypertension, bronchitis,
renal failure, gout, stress and depression.
A police investigation was conducted into the circumstances of Mr Andrinopoulos’ death.
An inquest was convened on 20 November 2013. Leading Senior Constable Stuart Beulke provided a summary of the material he had obtained from the police investigation that
included the following information:
“Mr Mihail (known as Michael) Andrinopoulos was a 73 year old married man who resided with his wife of 46 years, Tasia Andrinopoulos and 41 year old son Sotiri (Sam) Andrinopoulos. Another son, Bill Andrinopoulos no longer resides in the
family home.
Sam Andrinopoulos suffers cerebral palsy. Michael and Tasia Andrinopoulos were his primary carers.
Bill Andrinopoulos states that this put pressure on the whole family...
Mr Andrinopoulos had a significant medical history. His General Practitioner, Dr Steven Kalfas notes since 1992 that he suffered at different times, hypertension,
wheezy bronchitis, chronic renal failure, gout and stress, related with night shift
work and also social isolation of his son Sam.
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It is also noted that in 1996 Mr Andrinopoulos attended for a blood pressure check.
Subsequently he showed poor compliance with blood pressure medication and was advised repeatedly the importance of blood pressure control to prevent further deterioration of his kidney disease. It is also noted by Dr Kalfas around this time that Mr Andrinopoulos avoided seeing a renal physician and presented with some depression apparently relating to the strain of having to continue in the work force
owing to financial pressure...
Deteriorating kidney function was noted in 2003, with renal biopsy showing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis for which there is no cure. Progressive decline in
kidney function was expected.
In June 2010 Mr Andrinopoulos was referred by Dr Kalfas to Psychologist, Mina Kobatsiari. The referral stated ‘Michael is tense all the time, brooding, gets upset easily and also worries about his son. Lis situation is compounded by the fatigue of chronic renal failure and the prospect of imminent dialysis (past analgesic overuse
damaging kidneys)...
Ms Kobatsiari noted that Mr Andrinopoulos presented as a quiet reserved man who always appeared overly preoccupied and worried at the prospect of having to undergo dialysis, He often explained during sessions that the idea of undergoing dialysis was horrifying. He reported that leaving Sam on his own or in another's care for five hours a day whilst he was having dialysis caused him grave concern, The severity of his constant pain was causing him extreme exhaustion. This was
further compounded by arthritis, which he suffered in both knees and his left wrist.
Ms Kobatsiari stated that Mr Andrinopoulos’ presentation indicated that he was suffering from a chronic major depressive disorder. He experienced a range of psychological symptoms including initial and middle insomnia, flat mood, irritability, worrisome thoughts, lethargy, helplessness and loss of motivation. He reported that once he ceased working, his sleep was often disrupted as he frequently experienced nightmares. Mr Andrinopoulos’ depressive symptomatology was further aggravated by feelings of helplessness and constant worry over his son’s future. In addition, his constant physical pain and disability, as well as family
conflicts contributed to his psychological maladjustment.
During sessions, suicidal ideation was explored with Mr Andrinopoulos and he was
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often directly asked questions relating to suicidal thoughts and his recorded response was ‘no, I am not thinking of taking my life. What will become of Sotiri . (Sam)? I worry about leaving him for five-hours when I need to have the dialysis, let alone taking my own life.’ Mr Andrinopoulos respected and upheld his traditional patriarchal views, and in turn felt an extreme responsibility towards his family,
especially his children.
Psychological treatment focused on alleviating Mr Andrinopoulos’ depressive symptomatology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) was the primary intervention used to address the cognitive component of his depression; concentrating on cognitive restructuring. My Andrinopoulos was assisted to identify his negative
thoughts and challenge his beliefs that developed in response to his circumstance.
Ms Kobatsiari states in her opinion that Mr Andrinopoulos made some significant psychological gains with the assistance of intervention considering the adversity he
faced in terms of his extreme levels of pain and deteriorating physical capacity.
In April 2012, Mr Andrinopoulos commenced dialysis at Monash Medical Centre.
‘Prior to his death Mr Andrinopoulos had dialysis on four occasions for five hour
periods.
On Thursday the 3 May 2012 according to Mrs Tasia Andrinopoulos, Mr Andrinopoulos woke up at about 7.30am. Mrs Andrinopoulos went back to sleep
and awoke at about 9.00am. She noted that Mr Andrinopoulos was not home.
At about 11.30am on the same date Mr Wally Rizzo parked his van in a car park off Beach Road, Parkdale, opposite Antibes Street. Mr Rizzo was parked facing Port Phillip Bay. Mr Rizzo observed what he thought was a body in the water. Mr Rizzo walked down to the beach and located a deceased, nuked male on the waters edge.
Mr Rizzo contacted police.
Police attended the scene at approximately 11.55am. The scene was processed and a number of photographs taken. A thorough search was conducted of the foreshore area including the sand, scrub area and rubbish bins. No clothes or other items associated with Mr Andrinopoulos were located. A search of the car park area located a white Holden Commodore Sedan, registration number, NI’Y 275. As a result of this Mr Andrinopoulos was ultimately identified. This vehicle was collected
later by Mr Bill Andvinopoulos. He searched the car and no clothing or suicide note
The Search
was located.
No suicide note has been located at the home address or any other location.
Extensive bruising was noted on Mr Andrinopoutlos’ lefi arm. It wus believed it was
a result of dialysis.
Enquiries made by the investigating Police member indicated that the air temperature in Melbourne on Thursday the 3 May 012, between 7.30am and 12.00pm midday was between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Wind direction and speed in Port Phillip Bay according to the Fawkner Beacon was approximately 30 knots
Jrom the South Hast at around 12.00pm midday.”
to the extensive search of Parkdale beach and surrounds following the discovery of Mr
Andrinopoulos’ body. In all, ten police members were involved in searching 1km north and
ikm south of Parkdale beach surrounds for evidence in relation to the circumstances
surrounding the death of Mr Andrinopoulos. Nothing was located during the search that
was of any relevance to the investigation.
Post Mortem Examination
the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine on 8 May 2012 where the cause of death was
formulated and the following comments made:
“Post mortem examination was consistent with the circumstances and showed the body covered in beach sand, as well as large amounts of beach sand in the mouth, left pharynx and respiratory tract. The post mortem examination showed a mildly enlarged heart (580 grams). The lings appeared mildly hyperinflated and the right
pleural surface was markedly fibrosed.
The post mortem examination showed a circumferential bruise to the left arm, a bruised abrasion to the right lateral chest wall as well as deep bruise to the left upper back. The bruise in the arm appears to be a few days old and may have been sustained prior to being found on the beach. The abrasion to the left chest wail and
the bruise on the left upper back may have been sustained while being in the water
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however the possibility that it may have been sustained by any other means cannot
be excluded with confidence.
The possibility that the cause of death is due to drowning cannot be ascertained with
certainty.
Post mortem toxicology analysis did not detect alcohol, common drugs or poisons.
Post mortem biochemistry showed severe chronic renal impairment, consistent with
the reported medical history.” Finding After a full medical and police investigation the exact cause of Mr Andrinopoulos’ death remains unascertained. However, whilst the circumstances surrounding his entry into the water and his
subsequent death may never be known, there does not appear to have been anything sinister in the
demise of this elderly man who had become both physically and emotionally depleted and frail.
I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Mrs Tasia Andrinopoulos
Leading Senior Constable Stuart Beulke, Investigating Member, Victoria Police
Signature:
ao yous, a3 harap
HEATHER SPOONER CORONER Date: 30 January 2014
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