A fatal outcome of pica

Abstract

A previously healthy 31 year old African male was assisting friends with the repair of the roof of a neighboring house. That evening at a social gathering the man complained of an apparent headache and went home early where he later died suddenly and unexpectedly. No history indicating the possibility of an underlying psychiatric illness was obtained. Due to the nature and circumstances surrounding the sudden unexpected death the body was referred for a medico-legal investigation in terms of the Inquests Act 58 of 1959.