remained in Intensive Care, unconscious and unresponsive until her death at 7:35pm on 7 May 2004. Post mortem post mortem examination was conducted on 10 May 2004 by Forensic Pathologist, Dr Allan Cala. In Dr Cala’s opinion, Jessica-Lee died as a result of the consequences of acute asthma. He suggested that she may have been profoundly hypoxic in the car whilst on her way to hospital and this precipitated a cardiac arrest. The hypoxia resulted in hypoxic brain damage and brain death. Significant findings by Dr Cala during his post mortem examination included the following: Inspissated mucous in many airways. ‘1. 2. Thickened bronchial walls, highly suggestive of asthma. 3. Swollen, pale brain, with features of hypoxic encephalopathy.’ Microscopic examination of the revealed the following: changes are present, with an eosinophilic infiltrate in the wall of many bronchi, ‘Asthma basement membrane thickening and smooth muscle hypertrophy.’ The findings are said to represent the characteristic features of asthma. Microscopic examination of the brain by Dr Cala revealed widespread hypoxic changes “and features of brain death in sections of the hypo campus and surrounding temporal region”. I accept the observations made by Dr Cala and his opinion as to the cause of death. Urine Profile Urine taken for habitual drug analysis following Jessica-Lee’s collapse, revealed the presence of benzodiazepine. This finding suggests that Jessica-Lee may have consumed Valium at some stage before her collapse. This was a drug which Mrs Dennis had been taking on prescription. There is no evidence to suggest that Jessica-Lee was prescribed Valium. Mrs Dennis speculated that her daughter might have consumed one of her Valium tablets to help her sleep. I find that this is a reasonable assumption in the circumstances. Specialist review of Dr Jeyaprakash’s Management of Jessica-Lee Dennis An opinion was sought from Respiratory Physician, Dr Peter Robinson concerning Jessica-Lee’s medical management in the period leading to her death. Dr Robinson
remained in Intensive Care, unconscious and unresponsive until her death at 7:35pm on 7 May 2004. Post mortem post mortem examination was conducted on 10 May 2004 by Forensic Pathologist, Dr Allan Cala. In Dr Cala’s opinion, Jessica-Lee died as a result of the consequences of acute asthma. He suggested that she may have been profoundly hypoxic in the car whilst on her way to hospital and this precipitated a cardiac arrest. The hypoxia resulted in hypoxic brain damage and brain death. Significant findings by Dr Cala during his post mortem examination included the following: ‘1. Inspissated mucous in many airways. 2. Thickened bronchial walls, highly suggestive of asthma. 3. Swollen, pale brain, with features of hypoxic encephalopathy.’ Microscopic examination of the revealed the following: ‘Asthma changes are present, with an eosinophilic infiltrate in the wall of many bronchi, basement membrane thickening and smooth muscle hypertrophy.’ The findings are said to represent the characteristic features of asthma. Microscopic examination of the brain by Dr Cala revealed widespread hypoxic changes “and features of brain death in sections of the hypo campus and surrounding temporal region”. I accept the observations made by Dr Cala and his opinion as to the cause of death. Urine Profile Urine taken for habitual drug analysis following Jessica-Lee’s collapse, revealed the presence of benzodiazepine. This finding suggests that Jessica-Lee may have consumed Valium at some stage before her collapse. This was a drug which Mrs Dennis had been taking on prescription. There is no evidence to suggest that Jessica-Lee was prescribed Valium. Mrs Dennis speculated that her daughter might have consumed one of her Valium tablets to help her sleep. I find that this is a reasonable assumption in the circumstances. Specialist review of Dr Jeyaprakash’s Management of Jessica-Lee Dennis An opinion was sought from Respiratory Physician, Dr Peter Robinson concerning Jessica-Lee’s medical management in the period leading to her death. Dr Robinson
DENNIS%20Jessica-Lee.docx