Death of man in OPP custody was due to drugs in his system, inquest told

A man who died while in OPP custody was taking two prescription medications, both of which are central nervous system depressants, a forensic pathologist told an inquest this past week.

The death of Paul Horan, a 43-year-old Sarnia man, occurred on Sept. 24, 2012 at the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart site of Bluewater Health.

He had been arrested on Highway 402 for allegedly failing to stop his vehicle.

Dr. Elena Tugaleva, who performed the autopsy on Horan, told the inquest the cause of death was the toxicity of methadone, which Horan had been taking for some five years, and an anti-depressant.

Bruises on Horan's wrist were said to be from being handcuffed. Bruises on his ribs were said to be likely caused by attempts to resuscitate him at the hospital.

The inquest, which is mandatory due to Horan having died while in police custody, is expected to wrap up next week.

Tags: lambton county, man died, OPP, paul horan, police custody