An 18-year-old college student from Plymouth died of natural causes in his hotel room in Costa Rica while participating in a sea turtle conservation programme, an inquest has concluded.
Details of the Death
Xander Furlong was found dead at the Hotel Paraiso Cabinas, Las Palmas in Puntarenas, Esparza, on 19 July 2024. He was studying at Duchy College and was due to begin a degree in ecology and wildlife management at UWE Bristol shortly before his death.
The inquest at Exeter County Hall was told that Mr Furlong had been diagnosed during childhood with narcolepsy and cataplexy and was receiving long-term medication for these neurological conditions. His mother, Michelle Furlong, informed the hearing that her son was diagnosed with both conditions following a swine flu vaccination in 2010 and also suffered from high blood pressure.
Final Messages
Mrs Furlong stated that the day before his death, he had been sending messages from Costa Rica indicating he was recovering after suffering dehydration and diarrhoea. "His last message to us was to our small family chat on July 19 at 1.58am UK time, so therefore approximately 7pm on July 18 in Costa Rica," she said. "He said, 'I am really enjoying Costa Rica, and I feeling homesick and I miss everyone'. I am told he had been in the pool that evening, was tired and had a headache, so went up to bed early and had a paracetamol."
She added: "We messaged him, but he didn't see our messages. We didn't think anything of it because the mobile reception on Costa Rica was really poor."
Medical History
The inquest heard that Mr Furlong's narcolepsy was being monitored in the community, with routine appointments at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where he remained under specialist care. Senior Devon Coroner Philip Spinney outlined that a post-mortem examination carried out in Costa Rica established Mr Furlong had died from natural causes, linked to arterial hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, mixed cardiomyopathy and recent myocardial infarction.
Toxicology findings revealed no evidence of alcohol or illegal drugs in his system before his death. The coroner determined the death was due to natural causes.
Coroner's Comments
"Xander had a past history which included cataplexy and narcolepsy, sleep disturbance and macular disorder," Mr Spinney stated. "Xander was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy in December 2011 following a number of assessments and investigations. It is noted his symptoms began to occur about two or three months after he received his swine flu vaccine, which is considered a possible association."
Mr Spinney observed that Mr Furlong had been given various medications to control his conditions, which later resulted in him developing high blood pressure.
Tribute from Mother
Mrs Furlong paid tribute to her son, saying: "Xander was kind to everyone and had a really gentle soul. He was a home boy and quite shy. He was single-minded and knew what he wanted to do for a long time. He was making sure it was going to happen and didn't allow the narcolepsy to slow him down."
