A man found dead at his home was practising auto-erotic asphyxiation and did not mean to end his life, a Coroner has ruled. Photo / NZME
A man found dead at his home was practising auto-erotic asphyxiation and did not mean to end his life, a Coroner has ruled. Photo / NZME
Graphic content warning - this story contains details that may be upsetting to some readers.
The sudden death of a New Zealand man has been ruled an accident by a Coroner who says he was engaged in an act of "solo kink" or auto-erotic asphyxiation that became fatal.
And ina bid to prevent further similar deaths, she has issued a warning for others participating in similar activity to be extremely careful.
Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame has suppressed many details of the case. She said the details were "upsetting and confronting".
The Herald cannot publish his name or any other details that might lead to his identification.
The man was suspended in a "complex system" he had set up that included "a device to allow breath suppression".
There was "nothing suspicious or untoward" about the death and there was no evidence to indicate anyone else was involved.
"Police considered the death to be a result of [the man] engaging in auto-erotic asphyxiation at the time of his death," said Coroner Cunninghame.
"This is a state of asphyxia intentionally induced by smothering or strangling oneself to heighten sexual arousal during masturbation."
Police attended the man's death and told the Coroner there were no suspicious circumstances. Photo / NZME
A post-mortem examination showed the man had no drugs or alcohol in his system.
"The facts make it clear that his death was not suicide," said Coroner Cunninghame.
"It was an accident that occurred in the context of a solo "kink" activity.
"In using the word 'kink' I do not wish to cast any aspersions on those who choose to engage in non-conventional consensual sexual activities. Some of these activities do carry risk, of which [the man's] death is a tragic example."
"Unfortunately, he was unable to control the system that he had constructed, and was unable to free himself before succumbing to asphyxia. His death was an accident."
Coroner Cunninghame said people who explored kink activities that involved suppression of breath, strangulation, or smothering - particularly on their own - were engaging in activities where there was a high risk of death or serious harm.
Because of that she had decided to release some basic details of the death.
"A coronial inquiry ... must look for opportunities to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances by learning from past causes and circumstances of death," she explained.
"The potential for Coroners' comments and recommendations to save lives and prevent other families from suffering the grief of preventable death is very much in the public interest.
"I do not know the extent to which the kink community shares information about safe practices.
"Common sense dictates that those publishing or sharing information about these topics should consider highlighting the risks involved and the ways in which participants can ensure safety."
Coroner Cunninghame said had she been able to identify a "community or publication" where the man had "obtained information about, or had discussed, auto-erotic asphyxiation" she would have recommended that "advice about the risks inherent in the practice should be made freely available to members or readers".
"I would also have recommended that any relevant safety advice be publicised in the same manner," she said.
"Those in the kink community should be aware of the high risk in acts which involve suppression of breath."
Coroner Cunninghame said she was aware that the circumstances of the man's death were very distressing and extended her deepest condolences to his family and friends.
