Coroner Talks of Tragic Death of St Austell Dentist
A young dentist from St Austell, Cornwall, has died tragically following complications caused by diabetes, according to the deputy coroner.
An inquest into the death of 30 year old Dr Darren Eastmond, took place at Truro Town Hall earlier this month. Dr Eastmond was found dead in his bed at his flat at the beginning of December. His previous girlfriend, Leanne Randall, had raised the alarm after Eastmond failed to reply to her messages and asked her brother to call round to the flat.
The inquest heard how Robyn Perkins, a woman the dentist was seeing, had spoken to Eastmond a few days before he was found dead. She was asked whether he seemed down or depressed, to which she replied that he “was one of the happiest people” she knew.
Dr Eastmond was a promising water polo player and he was looking forward to returning to his native country of Barbados to spend more time with his relatives. He was coach of the Newquay Women’s Waterpolo Team at the time.
Eastmond had known about his diabetes from the age of 14 and was meticulous in regulating his blood sugar levels.
Andrew Cox, deputy coroner for Cornwall, concluded that Dr Eastmond died of natural causes, saying that he could only surmise that Eastmond had, for some reason, had forgotten to take his insulin and had died tragically as a result of complications.
Victor Eastmond, Darren’s father, attended the inquest after flying in from Barbados. He paid tribute to his son, saying that his death “robbed us of someone who was destined to prove his brilliance not only in the field of dentistry, but also as an athlete, water polo personality, friend and mentor.”
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The coroner should not have surmised that this wonderful human being neglected to take his insulin. This is not a death of natural causes. This is a death by diabetes and the inadequate tools/insulins to sufficiently prevent such tragedy. My heart goes out to Dr. Eastmond’s family and friends.