Suspected cyanide death put under coroner’s spotlight

[Pelican Press 0]

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Suspected cyanide ****** put under coroner’s spotlight

A coroner will investigate the ****** of a Victorian man who took suspected cyanide tablets while police were arresting him.

Phillip Reidy could not be revived after consuming the poison at his Kyneton home on the morning of July 2.

Two police officers had arrived at the property to arrest Reidy on allegations of family *********, the Victorian Coroners Court was told on Monday.

One officer began placing handcuffs on the 27-year-old when he requested to use the bathroom.

The handcuffs were removed and the two officers followed Reidy into the house, where he grabbed some tablets from the kitchen bench and ingested them.

The police members, who had their body-worn cameras activated, saw Reidy begin to cough and asked if he was OK.

He told them to let his mother know he loved her before collapsing and losing consciousness.

The officers called for an ambulance and tried to perform CPR, but Reidy could not be revived.

Reidy had previously told his mother and partner he had purchased cyanide tablets and would consume them if he was arrested again.

The court was told Reidy had a history of poor mental health, which declined further in 2023.

Coroner Paul Lawrie ordered the brief of evidence be compiled by the chief investigator and filed with the court by October 29.

The coroner is yet to set out the scope of the inquest or any further court dates.

Mr Lawrie noted a key question would be how Reidy was able to gain access to the cyanide tablets.

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