Adolescent suicide due to inhalation of insect spray

Abstract

A 17-year-old female who had been expressing suicidal ideation following domestic problems was found dead in her room next to a towel and an empty can of insect spray. There were no suspicious circumstances and it appeared that the deceased had inhaled insect spray using the towel to maintain the concentration of vapour around her nose and mouth. There was no history of recreational inhalation of volatile substances or other illicit drug use. Inhalation of insect spray is a rare method of suicide in keeping with the suggestion that young suicide victims utilize unusual methods of self-destruction determined to some degree by availability and accessibility.