Autoerotic fatalities are accidental deaths that occur during sexual self-stimulation when an apparatus, device or prop that is being employed to enhance pleasure causes the death.[1] Researchers only apply the term to unintentional deaths resulting from solitary sexual activity, not suicide or acts with a partner.[1] The incidence of autoerotic fatalities in Western countries is around 0.5 per million inhabitants each year.[1]

Autoerotic asphyxia is the leading cause. 70 to 80% of autoerotic deaths are caused by hanging, while 10 to 30% are attributed to plastic bags or chemical use. Both of these lead to autoerotic asphyxia. 5 to 10% are related to electrocution, foreign body insertion, overdressing/body wrapping, or another atypical method.[1] Specific causes include the use of chemicals such as amyl nitrite, GHB, or nitrous oxide, and props and tools such as knives, oversized dildos, ligatures or bags for asphyxiation, duct tape, electrical apparatus for shocks, water for self-immersion, fire-making equipment for self-immolation, or sharp, unhygienic or large fetishized objects.

The subject has been treated in two books, Autoerotic Fatalities by Hazelwood et al. (1983) and Autoerotic Asphyxiation: Forensic, Medical, and Social Aspects by Sheleg et al. (2006).

Famous cases

  • Peter Anthony Motteux, English author, playwright, translator, publisher and editor of The Gentleman's Journal, "the first English magazine", from 1692 to 1694, died from apparent autoerotic asphyxiation in 1718, which is probably the first recorded case.
  • Frantisek Kotzwara, composer, died from erotic asphyxiation in 1791.
  • Albert Dekker, stage and screen actor, was found dead in his bathroom in 1968 with his body graffitied and a noose around his neck.
  • Nigel Tetley (c. 1924 – 2 February 1972) was a British sailor who was the first person to circumnavigate the world solo in a trimaran. His body was found hanging from a tree in woods near Dover, England. At the coroner's inquest, it was revealed that the body had been discovered clothed in lingerie and the hands were bound behind the back. The opinion offered by a pathologist suggested masochistic sexual activity.
  • Vaughn Bodē, artist, died from autoerotic asphyxiation in 1975.
  • Diane Herceg sued Hustler magazine in 1983, accusing it of causing the death of her 14-year-old son, Troy D., who had experimented with autoerotic asphyxia after reading about it in that publication.[2]
  • Stephen Milligan, a British politician and Conservative MP for Eastleigh, died from autoerotic asphyxiation combined with self-bondage in 1994.[3]
  • Kevin Gilbert, a musician and songwriter, died of apparent autoerotic asphyxiation in 1996.[4]
  • David Carradine was found dead on 4 June 2009 from accidental asphyxiation, according to the medical examiner who performed a private autopsy on the actor.[5][6] His body was found near naked and hanging by a rope in a closet in his hotel room in Thailand,[7][8] and there was evidence of a recent orgasm;[9] two autopsies were conducted and concluded that his death was not suicide, and the Thai forensic pathologist who examined the body stated that his death may have been due to autoerotic asphyxiation.[10][11] Two of Carradine's ex-wives, Gail Jensen[12][13] and Marina Anderson,[14][15] stated publicly that his sexual interests included the practice of self-bondage.

Although Paula Yates contradicted earlier statements she had made by saying during a 1999 interview that Michael Hutchence's 1997 death might have been caused by autoerotic asphyxiation,[16] the coronial inquest found it to be suicide due to a combination of depression and intoxication with alcohol and other drugs.[17]

Further reading

  • Burgess, Ann Wolbert; Hazelwood, Robert R.; Dietz, Park Elliott (1983). Autoerotic fatalities. Lexington, Mass: LexingtonBooks. ISBN 0-669-04716-3.
  • Edwin Ehrlich; Sergey Sheleg (2006). Autoerotic Asphyxiation: Forensic, Medical, and Social Aspects. Wheatmark. ISBN 1-58736-604-5.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sauvageau, A. (2014). "Current Reports on Autoerotic Deaths—Five Persistent Myths". Current Psychiatry Reports. 16 (1): 1–4. doi:10.1007/s11920-013-0430-z. PMID 24293152. S2CID 10570450.
  2. ↑ John W. Williams (1990). "Can the media kill? A syndrome, a case study and the law". Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  3. ↑ "Police probe MP's suspicious death". BBC News, 8 February 1994
  4. ↑ Joel Selvin (16 September 1996). "More Than 'The Piano Player'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  5. ↑ Orloff, Brian. "David Carradine Died of Accidental Asphyxiation" Archived 31 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine. People, 2 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "David Carradine's Official Cause of Death was Asphyxiation". Inquisitr.com. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Goldman, Russell (4 June 2009). "Police: Carradine Found Naked, Hanged in Closet". ABC News. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  8. ↑ "Actor David Carradine Found Dead". CNN. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Forensic Scientist Says Carradine Death May Be Linked to Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation". Fox News. 5 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "Carradine Death 'Erotic Asphyxiation'". Bangkok Post. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  11. ↑ Drummond, Andrew (5 June 2009). "Kung Fu Star David Carradine Died 'When Auto Erotic Sex Game Went Wrong'". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  12. ↑ James, Susan Donaldson (9 June 2009). "Ex-Wife Reveals David Carradine's 'Kinky' Habits". ABC News. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "David Carradine Branded 'Strange' by Ex". Contactmusic.com. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  14. ↑ McShane, Larry (5 June 2009). "David Carradine a Fan of 'Potentially Deadly' Deviant Sex Acts, Ex-Wife Said in Court Papers". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  15. ↑ Darwar, Anil (8 June 2009). "Carradine Loved Deadly Sex Games, Says Ex-Wife". Daily Express. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Paula challenges Hutchence verdict". BBC News. 10 August 1999. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  17. ↑ Hand, Derrick; Fife-Yeomans, Janet (2008) [2004]. The Coroner: Investigating Sudden Death. Sydney, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-0-7333-2221-1.


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