Coroner finds drugs caused death of Otago student at R&V Festival

A Coroner has found the 2020 death of a “well-loved” University of Otago student at the Rhythm and Vines Festival happened because the drugs he took were not what he thought they were.

Fletcher Dylan Wong was 19 years-old when he was found dead after leaving the Rhythm and Vines Festival in Gisborne.

A Corner’s report released today states as part of the post-mortem process, samples were taken for analysis by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Those samples detected the presence of the  hallucinogenic drug Lysergic acid (LSD) and Eutylone, a long-lasting stimulant drug.

The Coroner found that on December 28, the group arrived at the festival in Gisborne.

“It appears that Mr Wong’s behaviour was, at first, unremarkable. Friends understood that he took two tablets of what he believed to be MDMA over that day.

“By around 10pm that evening, friends noticed that his behaviour had become unusual. He appeared anxious and paranoid, believing (incorrectly) that people were talking about him.

“He became frightened that Police would find drugs in his toilet bag, and he asked to borrow sunglasses so that his eyes were not visible to others. Mr Wong’s phone messaging over this time is consistent with his friends’ account that he had become anxious and paranoid.

“In the early hours of December 29,  one friend tried to take him to the Hato Hone St John tent on site at the festival. Mr Wong initially cooperated but, on arriving at the tent, refused to tent. He kept walking away from his friend, who tried to physically restrain him. Efforts made by his friend to calm him down were unsuccessful, with Mr Wong insisting that he was going to leave the festival.

“The friend last saw Mr Wong walking towards an exit at around 2am. Soon afterwards, a friend reported Mr Wong missing.

“Mr Wong’s body was found in the late afternoon of December 31.”

The Coroner found the death was self-inflicted but did not amount to suicide.

“It is established that LSD can cause psychotic episodes. The drug testing agency, KnowYourStuff NZ, reports that high doses of eutylone can also cause psychosis and hallucinations.

“It follows that, because of the effects of the LSD and eutylone in his system, Mr Wong may have lacked capacity to form an intention. In fact, it is quite possible that he was in a state of psychosis at the time he took the actions leading to his death.

“His having a quiet and shy manner is not evidence that he experienced feelings of despair and discomfort sufficient to drive suicidal behaviours.

“Overall, and while I am satisfied that Mr Wong’s death was self-inflicted, I consider the evidence falls short of the requirements for a finding of suicide.”

Former Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon knew Fletcher through a family friend and says his death leaves a strong message, particularly for the Asian community.

“I know that he was well-loved and the family are saddened by the events leading to his death,” he told Crux.

“It’s a strong message Fletcher has left us.

“Refrain from taking drugs. Reach out to family or friends if you need help.

“For many Asian children it is difficult to reach out due to our culture of shame on the family.

“I hope families will see reaching out as a need to chat and support rather than being punitive.”

The University of Otago has been approached for comment.

Main image (supplied / NZ Police): Fletcher Dylan Wong died after taking drugs he thought were MDMA.