Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 30, Number 8, October 2006, pp.635-637

CASE REPORT: Distribution of Ether in Two Postmortem Cases
Dawn Cox[1], Rebecca DeRienz[1], Rebecca A. Jufer Phipps[2], Barry Levine[1,2], Aaron Jacobs[1], and David Fowler[2]
[1]Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, 1413 Research Blvd., Bldg. 102, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and
[2]Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 111 Penn St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Diethyl ether (ether) is a volatile liquid that was used in the 1800s as an anesthetic agent; however, it is no longer used for this purpose, partly because of its odor and flammability. Two postmortem cases in which ether was detected are presented. The first case was an 18-year-old male found hanging from a basement ceiling brace in a semi-sitting position with a gas mask covering his face. A container of Prestone® starting fluid and a bong were found on the floor close to the body. The second case was a 20-year-old male found unresponsive in his dormitory room with two black plastic trash bags secured over his head. Two saturated rags and a resealable bag containing a clear liquid were contained within these trash bags. An almost empty can of Tradco® starting fluid was also found at the scene. Ether concentrations were determined by headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the selective ion monitoring mode. In case #1, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging; the manner of death was undetermined. In case #2, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia and the manner of death was suicide.

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