A man who cut off his own penis with a pen knife and subsequently bled to death was on a lethal dose of methamphetamine, a medical report has concluded. Ryan Dexter Sutherland, 31, died from sharp force self-inflicted injuries to his neck, right forearm and wrist, chest and genitalia during a drug-fueled frenzy in downtown Los Angeles.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred in the early hours of March 7, when a 7/11 security guard spotted the horrific scene and called police. Officers arrived to find blood-soaked clothes scattered across the pavement and pools of blood. Sutherland was later identified by his fingerprints, and his parents were notified of his death. According to the medical report, the man used a non-serrated pen knife approximately two inches long and three-quarters of an inch wide to inflict the fatal wounds. The wound to his genitalia was nearly a foot in circumference, leaving his testes exposed and causing his penis to be degloved from his body.
Toxicology Findings
A toxicology report revealed that Sutherland had an extreme amount of methamphetamine in his system at the time of death, along with MDMA. While these substances were not deemed the direct cause of death, his blood concentration of meth was 1.9 ug/mL and amphetamines at .24 ug/mL, both considered lethal levels. The report stated that the cause of death was self-inflicted sharp force injuries to an artery and vein in his right arm, as well as injuries to his jugular vein and trachea in his neck.
Background and Aftermath
Sutherland's aunt told police that he had never previously threatened or attempted suicide. However, he had a history of illicit drug use and had spent time in rehab. Studies indicate that suicide rates among meth users are significantly higher than the general population. The medical report described Sutherland as a 5-foot-11 black male weighing nearly 19 stone. Aside from suffering from ADHD, little else is known about his background.
