Teenager Dies In Bedroom After Using Deodorant Instead Of Taking Showers

A TEENAGER who used cans of deodorant to "wash" instead of taking showers died from inhaling gas, an inquest heard.

Thomas Townsend, 16, was found collapsed in his bedroom after the freak accident. Police later found 42 aerosol cans in his room.

His mum Sally told the inquest in Folkestone, Kent: "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 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."

The inquest heard how Thomas had been in a foster home for five years until he moved to a children's home in Folkestone last February.

He was due to start college in September and was looking forward to a career as a farrier.
But in August staff member Lucy Banyard found him collapsed on his knees against the bed, leaning forward.

Paramedics were called but he could not be revived.

Pathologist Dr Kareem Aboualfa said the cause of death was circulation collapse caused by butane gas inhalation. There was no drink or drugs in his system.

Coroner Rachel Redman said: "He sprayed it (deodorant) all over himself and succumbed to the effects of the gas."

Verdict: accident.