Teenage Boy Kills Himself With Deodorant In Freak Accident

A teenage boy died from butane gas inhalation in a freak accident after using too much deodorant spray, an inquest has heard.



Thomas Townsend would spray deodorant all over his body instead of showering – using a can a week.

The 16-year-old was found dead on the landing outside his room by a member of staff at a children’s home in England.

Paramedics were called to the scene on 29 August last year but were unable to revive him after the freak accident.

The coroner’s inquest heard police found 45 cans of deodorant in the teen’s room – many were discovered to be empty.

His mother, Sally Townsend, told the inquest: “He would not take showers but would stand there with a deodorant and spray half the can on him.

“Then he would spray aftershave to cover up BO (body odour).

“He would go through a can a week. I didn’t know he had so many cans in his room but he was a big hoarder.”
Thomas had been placed in a foster home for five years before his move to Red Lodge in February 2015.

The inquest heard he had a history of self-harm but had not expressed an interest in substance abuse or taking his own life.

Thomas was due to start his college education a few weeks after his death with hopes of becoming a farrier (someone who makes horseshoes).

Coroner Rachel Redman recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying: “He sprayed it [deodorant] all over himself and succumbed to the effects of the gas.”

The cause of death was given as circulation collapse caused by butane gas inhalation, said pathologist Dr Kareem Aboualfa, who noted there was no drink or drugs in the boy’s system.