Mystery surrounds the sudden death of a 25-year-old British man who died in Thailand after a night out. Liam White, from Maghull in Merseyside, was found dead in his dorm at Hostel 24 Backpackers 50 in Bang Chak, Bangkok, on January 13 this year, an inquest heard on Wednesday.
Conflicting Post-Mortem Results
Since his death, two post-mortems have produced conflicting views on the cause of death. A Thai post-mortem recorded that he died from natural causes—cardiac failure in association with infective pneumonia. However, a UK post-mortem concluded that the cause of death should be listed as unascertained.
The inquest record, written by assistant coroner Elizabeth Wheeler, detailed discrepancies: "The Thai post mortem records the presence of cerebral oedema and brain haemorrhage, but does not outline why these were not part of the cause of death. It records the heart as 'enlarged' but the UK pathologist scale records the heart within normal limits."
Drugs Detected but Concentrations Unrecorded
The Thai post-mortem also noted the presence of morphine and codeine in Mr White's blood, but the concentrations were not recorded. Ms Wheeler stated: "These drugs can be additive and cause respiratory depression - especially if there was a chest infection."
Given the uncertainties, Ms Wheeler recorded an open conclusion, saying: "Given the uncertainties and contradictions in the medical evidence, it is therefore not possible to say on the balance of probabilities what the medical cause of death is. It is therefore not possible to say how Mr White probably came by his death."
Background and Repatriation
Mr White, a joiner by trade, had booked the hostel three days before his death and had been staying in a dorm with multiple people. He had been out the night before he was found dead. A GoFundMe page raised £5,000 to help his family with the costs of repatriation. His funeral is believed to have taken place at West Lancashire Crematorium in Burscough on January 31.
