Coroner finds Hastings woman's death by drug overdose probably an accident

Coroner Tim Scott said that while it is "possible" it was a suicide attempt, he did not think it was "probable." PHOTO / File

A coroner has ruled a Hastings woman's death by overdose was likely to be an accident as she could have been using the common practice of "more is better" with prescriptions.

Jacqueline Tiare Dorothy Marham was 36 when she died on February 2 this year, her mother believing she intended to take her own life, Coroner Tim Scott noted in an inquiry report released this week.

The Coroner says it is "possible" it was a suicide attempt but he did not think it was "probable."

An autopsy revealed a blood-alcohol count of 150mg per 100ml and the presence of the anti-depressant drug which may have caused sedation.

Most of her tablets were missing when she was discovered.

Mr Scott said he was unable to determine it was suicide, and it was possible she took an overdose of her medication accidentally or that "following a relatively common practice" she took it at a higher level than prescription because she thought it would be better.

"I am sure it is a relatively common practice to take the view that there is a significant and built-in safety margin when drugs are prescribed and that no harm will be done (probably more good will be done) by taking more than the prescribed dose," he said.

He said that considering all the factors for and against the conclusion of suicide and on balance the evidence persuaded him "by a reasonable margin" that the death was probably caused by a small accidental overdose combined with a "significant" amount of alcohol.

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