'My daughter died because they didn't care'
By Jessica Johnston Townsville Bulletin
October 11, 2008 07:18am
A FATHER has lashed out at the"callous indifference" of youths who wouldn't call for help as his daughter slowly died of a drug overdose.
The anguish and anger at losing his youngest daughter Melanie from a drug overdose at a party was evident as Laurie Boyd made a heart-wrenching statement to a Townsville coroner yesterday.
Mr Boyd was emotional yet resolute as he described his family's eternal grief and his personal pain identifying the 16-year-old in the morgue, The Townsvile Bulletin reports.
Melanie Boyd begged her friends to call for help after taking a lethal cocktail of booze and drugs, the inquest was told.
October 11, 2008 07:18am
- Father lashes out at friends who 'let his girl die'
- Girl suffered drug overdose but no one called for help
- Local coverage at The Townsville Bulletin
A FATHER has lashed out at the"callous indifference" of youths who wouldn't call for help as his daughter slowly died of a drug overdose.
The anguish and anger at losing his youngest daughter Melanie from a drug overdose at a party was evident as Laurie Boyd made a heart-wrenching statement to a Townsville coroner yesterday.
Mr Boyd was emotional yet resolute as he described his family's eternal grief and his personal pain identifying the 16-year-old in the morgue, The Townsvile Bulletin reports.
Melanie Boyd begged her friends to call for help after taking a lethal cocktail of booze and drugs, the inquest was told.
But by the time an ambulance was called, three hours after she was found "blue" and "struggling to breathe", the popular Townsville private schoolgirl was dead.
"No father should be called upon to identify his daughter's body," he said.
"Mel's throat was swollen, it was grossly distorted from her efforts trying to breathe.
"No witness can tell me she was merely snoring, or breathing like she had the flu.
"She must have been struggling for breath for hours ... I hope that she was unconscious.
"She died alone in a strange house, I just hope she didn't die afraid.
"We loved her and miss her every day.
"We were so lucky this wasn't the first of three inquests ... that three other fathers didn't have to go to the ghastly place in the bowels of the hospital to identify their daughter.
"Why it was Mel, I'll never know."
A toxicology report showed Melanie had traces of the painkiller Tramadol, sedative Promazine and codeine in her system when she died.
There was no trace of amphetamine or any illicit drug.
Professor David Williams, who undertook the autopsy, indicated Melanie had ultimately drowned in her vomit, which caused her death.
"She would have gradually lost consciousness," Prof Williams said.
"I'm sure it would have been peaceful, yes."
Mr Boyd said the only two youths who seemed to comprehend the impact of Melanie's death were those who had also taken the lethal drug cocktail.
He said only one of the girls had "the courage and integrity'"to attend Mel's funeral, and to extend her sorrow and regret.
Mr Boyd lashed out at the "callous indifference, shallow vanity and mindless hedonism" shown by the four youths who hadn't called an ambulance for the sick girls.
He said the other schoolgirl, who can't be named because of her age and Matthew Aubrey, Kelly Neville and Zohe Horne had displayed little insight or sorrow.
"There is no doubt that Mel died because they did not care," he said.
"I have sat and listened to the evidence of a succession of young people who were present during the circumstances leading up to my daughter's death.
"At times I have found it difficult to control my rage and I think it fair to observe that many of us ... are bewildered by what we have heard.
"These people sat and watched Mel die for three hours and they will never be held responsible.
"These people will effectively get away with watching my daughter die."
Mr Boyd said he had been "bitterly angry" that the host and her family had appeared to run away to New Zealand to avoid the consequences' and made no attempt to contact him.
But he yesterday extended a message of forgiveness to the other parents, acknowledging they were doing what they thought was best for their child.
"I hope (the host) that you have all the opportunities that were denied to Melanie and I wish you well for the future," he said.
Read more at the Townsville Bulletin.
"No father should be called upon to identify his daughter's body," he said.
"Mel's throat was swollen, it was grossly distorted from her efforts trying to breathe.
"No witness can tell me she was merely snoring, or breathing like she had the flu.
"She must have been struggling for breath for hours ... I hope that she was unconscious.
"She died alone in a strange house, I just hope she didn't die afraid.
"We loved her and miss her every day.
"We were so lucky this wasn't the first of three inquests ... that three other fathers didn't have to go to the ghastly place in the bowels of the hospital to identify their daughter.
"Why it was Mel, I'll never know."
A toxicology report showed Melanie had traces of the painkiller Tramadol, sedative Promazine and codeine in her system when she died.
There was no trace of amphetamine or any illicit drug.
Professor David Williams, who undertook the autopsy, indicated Melanie had ultimately drowned in her vomit, which caused her death.
"She would have gradually lost consciousness," Prof Williams said.
"I'm sure it would have been peaceful, yes."
Mr Boyd said the only two youths who seemed to comprehend the impact of Melanie's death were those who had also taken the lethal drug cocktail.
He said only one of the girls had "the courage and integrity'"to attend Mel's funeral, and to extend her sorrow and regret.
Mr Boyd lashed out at the "callous indifference, shallow vanity and mindless hedonism" shown by the four youths who hadn't called an ambulance for the sick girls.
He said the other schoolgirl, who can't be named because of her age and Matthew Aubrey, Kelly Neville and Zohe Horne had displayed little insight or sorrow.
"There is no doubt that Mel died because they did not care," he said.
"I have sat and listened to the evidence of a succession of young people who were present during the circumstances leading up to my daughter's death.
"At times I have found it difficult to control my rage and I think it fair to observe that many of us ... are bewildered by what we have heard.
"These people sat and watched Mel die for three hours and they will never be held responsible.
"These people will effectively get away with watching my daughter die."
Mr Boyd said he had been "bitterly angry" that the host and her family had appeared to run away to New Zealand to avoid the consequences' and made no attempt to contact him.
But he yesterday extended a message of forgiveness to the other parents, acknowledging they were doing what they thought was best for their child.
"I hope (the host) that you have all the opportunities that were denied to Melanie and I wish you well for the future," he said.
Read more at the Townsville Bulletin.
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