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Norfolk grandad died after drinking 97% moonshine - inquest | Norfolk grandad died after drinking 97% moonshine - inquest |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Karl Edgeller had a blood alcohol level more than three times the drink-drive limit, the inquest heard | Karl Edgeller had a blood alcohol level more than three times the drink-drive limit, the inquest heard |
A man who died after drinking shots of moonshine that was nearly pure alcohol with a friend had been "egged on", an inquest heard. | A man who died after drinking shots of moonshine that was nearly pure alcohol with a friend had been "egged on", an inquest heard. |
Karl Edgeller, 57, died on 3 March 2024 at a property on Hereward Way in Weeting, Norfolk. | |
Two men had previously been arrested in relation to the incident, but police said "all lines of inquiry have now been exhausted pending any new information coming forward". | Two men had previously been arrested in relation to the incident, but police said "all lines of inquiry have now been exhausted pending any new information coming forward". |
Coroner Jacqueline Lake, at Norfolk Coroner's Court, concluded that his death was a result of misadventure. | Coroner Jacqueline Lake, at Norfolk Coroner's Court, concluded that his death was a result of misadventure. |
The court heard that Mr Edgeller and his partner, Sharon Willoughby, had gone to visit their mutual friend, Paul Johnson, who brought out a bottle of clear liquid that he identified as moonshine. | The court heard that Mr Edgeller and his partner, Sharon Willoughby, had gone to visit their mutual friend, Paul Johnson, who brought out a bottle of clear liquid that he identified as moonshine. |
In a statement, Mr Johnson said it had been given to him by a colleague. | In a statement, Mr Johnson said it had been given to him by a colleague. |
The liquid was 97% ethanol and had been imported to England from Estonia, the court was told. | The liquid was 97% ethanol and had been imported to England from Estonia, the court was told. |
Mr Johnson said he and Mr Edgeller had taken "at least four shots" of the moonshine. | Mr Johnson said he and Mr Edgeller had taken "at least four shots" of the moonshine. |
Ms Willoughby told the court that the pair had been "challenging" each other. | Ms Willoughby told the court that the pair had been "challenging" each other. |
When Mr Johnson was given the moonshine, the court heard that the unnamed colleague had instructed him to dilute it. | When Mr Johnson was given the moonshine, the court heard that the unnamed colleague had instructed him to dilute it. |
Karlynn West (right) said her dad (left) was a "fantastic man" | Karlynn West (right) said her dad (left) was a "fantastic man" |
Ms Willoughby said that she left Mr Edgeller and Mr Johnson in the room "in good spirits". | Ms Willoughby said that she left Mr Edgeller and Mr Johnson in the room "in good spirits". |
She returned at approximately 16:00 GMT, where she found the pair asleep and "snoring". | She returned at approximately 16:00 GMT, where she found the pair asleep and "snoring". |
At 17:30, she returned for a second time with a friend, who she spent the following hours with in another room, the court heard. | At 17:30, she returned for a second time with a friend, who she spent the following hours with in another room, the court heard. |
As she went to go home, Ms Willoughby said she checked on Mr Edgeller and found him "unresponsive." | As she went to go home, Ms Willoughby said she checked on Mr Edgeller and found him "unresponsive." |
Pathologist Benjamin Swift noted that he had been asleep, slumped over a coffee table, which the court heard left "potential for positional asphyxia". | Pathologist Benjamin Swift noted that he had been asleep, slumped over a coffee table, which the court heard left "potential for positional asphyxia". |
Mr Edgeller was pronounced dead at the scene. | Mr Edgeller was pronounced dead at the scene. |
The court heard that Mr Edgeller had sleep apnoea, which meant he would usually use a CPAP machine to push air into his lungs when he slept. | The court heard that Mr Edgeller had sleep apnoea, which meant he would usually use a CPAP machine to push air into his lungs when he slept. |
A toxicology report read to the court showed he had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal drink-drive limit. | A toxicology report read to the court showed he had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal drink-drive limit. |
He also had small amounts of duloxetine, which he was prescribed for depression, in his system. | He also had small amounts of duloxetine, which he was prescribed for depression, in his system. |
GP records read to the court highlighted his history of mental health issues. | GP records read to the court highlighted his history of mental health issues. |
Ms Willoughby told the court that Mr Edgeller had reduced his alcohol consumption "considerably" in the weeks leading up to his death. | Ms Willoughby told the court that Mr Edgeller had reduced his alcohol consumption "considerably" in the weeks leading up to his death. |
Mr Edgeller's daughter, Karlynn West, said her father was "a fantastic man and a brilliant dad". | Mr Edgeller's daughter, Karlynn West, said her father was "a fantastic man and a brilliant dad". |
In her conclusion, Ms Lake told the court that Mr Edgeller and Mr Johnson had "egged each other on". | In her conclusion, Ms Lake told the court that Mr Edgeller and Mr Johnson had "egged each other on". |
"He was responsible for his own wellbeing," she said. | "He was responsible for his own wellbeing," she said. |
"Both struggled to keep the liquid down. He drank the alcohol knowing it was strong." | "Both struggled to keep the liquid down. He drank the alcohol knowing it was strong." |
His medical cause of death was recorded as alcohol and duloxetine co-toxicity, together with positional asphyxia and sleep apnoea. | His medical cause of death was recorded as alcohol and duloxetine co-toxicity, together with positional asphyxia and sleep apnoea. |
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. | Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. |
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