RECORD OF INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH

Coroners Act 1995
Coroners Rules 2006
Rule 11

I, Robert Pearce, Coroner, having investigated the death of

Randolph Brian Macrow

WITHOUT HOLDING AN INQUEST

Find:

(a) The identity of the deceased person is Randolph Brian MacRow, born 17 March 1967, late of 5029 Bass Highway Deloraine in Tasmania;

(b) Mr MacRow died on 21 February 2012 at his home;

(c) Mr MacRow’s death occurred as a result of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning;

(d) No other person contributed to the cause of Mr MacRow’s death.

Circumstances:

1. Randolph Brian MacRow was aged 44.  Prior to his death he lived alone in his family’s home at Deloraine.  He had never married and had no children.  His father Brian MacRow died about 3 years ago.  His mother lived in a residential care facility in Deloraine.

2. At the time of his death Mr MacRow was in casual employment as a truck driver but otherwise led something of a solitary and reclusive existence.  He was responsible for the care of the small rural family property which imposed a financial burden.

3. On 21 February 2012 Senior Constable Cashion of Deloraine police was asked to check on Mr MacRow after, at about 11.05 am, it was reported to the police that he had made threats of self-harm in a conversation with an employee of the care facility in which his mother lived.  Senior Constable Cashion arrived at Mr MacRow’s home at 11.40 am.  Constable Cashion found Mr MacRow in the driver seat of a car in the garage.  The garage door had been closed and a hose fixed to the exhaust led into car through the rear driver side window which was partly blocked by a towel.  Although the car was not running the keys were still in the on position and the garage was full of thick fumes.  Constable Cashion managed to remove Mr MacRow from the car but attempts by her, and other police and ambulance officers who were called to attend, to revive him were unsuccessful.  The evidence satisfies me that Mr MacRow was dead when he was found.

4. There was no note, but no evidence of or circumstance suggesting the involvement of any other person.  Other than the phone conversation I have referred to there is no evidence of any other indication of an intention to self-harm.

5. The post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as carbon monoxide toxicity.

Comments & Recommendations:

6. I have decided not to hold in inquest into Mr MacRow’s death.  The investigation has sufficiently disclosed the identity of the deceased person, the time, place, the relevant circumstances concerning his death and the particulars needed to register his death under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act.  I am satisfied that no other person contributed to Mr MacRow’s death.  I do not consider that an inquest is likely to elicit any further relevant information concerning the issues that I am required to determine.

I convey my sincere condolences to Mr MacRow’s mother and any other family.

 

DATED: 16 January 2013 at Launceston in Tasmania

 
Robert Pearce
CORONER