Catherine Mary Findlay · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 27th May 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Catherine Mary Findlay (Formerly known as Catherine Mary Roberts), born on the 13th October 1977

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 16th September 2015.

The Medical Cause of Death was

1a Methoxyphenidine and Cocaine Toxicity

The conclusion of the inquest was that Catherine Mary Findlay died a drug related death.

1. On the 24th May 2015 Catherine Mary Findlay a 37 year old with a history of drug abuse was found unresponsive and not breathing at her home address at 4 Park Street, Tydesley Manchester by her Mother.
2. Paramedics attended and pronounced life extinct.
3. Greater Manchester Police attended the premises and found there in addition to prescribed medication a quantity of white powder with the label ‘Methoxphenidine’ (MXP)
4. Evidence was heard at the Inquest that MXP is not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and that this is a substance which is freely available over the internet where it is sold as, research chemicals, and can be found on websites listing “legal highs”.
5. A post mortem examination carried out on Catherine Mary Findlay concluded, in the absence of any other findings that could have explained her sudden death, that she died as a result of a combination of MXP and Cocaine Toxicity.
6. Evidence was further produced at the Inquest that Catherine Mary Findlay had a history of obtaining substances over the internet.

1. The toxicological evidence, supported by the evidence of the Consultant Pathologist who carried out the Post Mortem examination, concluded that the cause of death was a combination of cocaine (a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act) and MXP.
2. MXP is not a controlled substance but related to Ketamine (a dis-associative anaesthetic) and is thought to be a replacement for another substance – Methoxetomine – which is now a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
3. I have concerns that such substances - freely marketed as “research chemicals” are generally available over the internet. They are sold with a warning that they are not for human consumption but are misused and consumed by people and are consequently dangerous and potentially life threatening.
4. I therefore request that the above concerns are considered and a review is undertaken regarding the status and control of MXP.