Carl Longshaw. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
An Otago woman may have survived if she had received appropriate medical treatment soon after she became unresponsive, a coroner has found.
An inquest into the death of 40-year-old Polly Riddell in 2018 was adjourned until a criminal case against her partner had ended.
Carl Longshaw, 68, was charged with neglect of a vulnerable adult and sentenced to seven-and-a-half months' home detention in the Dunedin High Court in October.
Coroner Marcus Elliott found Riddell died from cardiorespiratory depression after taking multiple drugs, saying her death was accidental but might have been avoidable.
"Ms Riddell may have survived if she had received appropriate medical treatment soon after she became non-responsive and developed respiratory compromise," he said.
Longshaw had called 111 shortly before 6pm on 16 October, 2018, telling them "I think my partner is dead".
He had become suspicious she had taken non-prescription drugs the evening before, but chose to take care of her himself instead of seeking help.
In the sentencing, the court heard Longshaw became more concerned about her wellbeing by 5pm, mistakenly believing she was suffering from pneumonia and taking steps to ensure her airways were clear.
The coroner found he did not seek medical help until she had already died.
A toxicology report showed she had self-administered a quantity of non-prescription medication, including methadone, morphine and MDMA.
The post-mortem concluded that the cardiorespiratory depression in the context of multi-drug toxicity resulted in depressant action on her central nervous system and pneumonia.
Rosemary Riddell in 2013. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
The coroner mentioned her medical history included anxiety, depression, drug addiction, overdoses and undertaking methadone programmes, but said her circumstances had improved in the year before her death and she reported feeling more positive.
Her mother and former district court judge Rosemary Riddell said during her victim impact statement at the sentencing his failure haunted their family, and Polly would have been alive today if not for his actions.
"All you had to do was pick up the phone and dial 111," she said. "One day I would like to remember Polly simply with love, and not grief."
Elliott offered his condolences to Polly Riddell's family and friends.
