(L.A.) Neil Melinkovich, 72, Died in a Hotel/Motel

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Case Number: 2023-15531

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 72-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred in a hotel/motel.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Neil Melinkovich.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Chloroethane Toxicity

RIP NEIL MELINKOVICH (September 16, 1951 – November 12, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday at 6:04 a.m.

The Department of Medical Examiner publicly disclosed the CoD ruling on March 11, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back positive.

These types of deaths are classified as accidents under the assumption that the abusers didn’t intend to kill themselves.

Scottish singer and actor Darius Campbell Danesh died in August 2022 from sniffing chloroethane, an inhalant recreational drug also known as ethyl chloride. It is easily available in pharmacies, as well as sold online as a topical anesthetic spray for pain relief.

In over 160,000 death records made public by the county’s medical examiner since 1999, chloroethane has been mentioned only about 10 times.

A detailed report by the government investigator and medical examiner on this case may be purchased from L.A. County for 67 dollars. This includes field notes on the circumstances of the death.

me.lacounty.gov/purchase-case-documents/?caseNumber=2023-15531