Mother, 42, had ‘no chance of survival’ after taking liquid ecstasy on horror P&O cruise with her daughter
- Dianne Brimble, was found dead on the Pacific Sky ship in September, 2002
- She was believed to have died after taking multiple doses of liquid ecstasy
- Forensic toxicologist believes she accidentally took drugs which led to death
A mother had ‘no chance of survival’ after she took multiple does of liquid ecstasy on a cruise, a forensic toxicologist has said.
The body of Dianne Brimble, 42, from Brisbane, was found naked in a cabin during a trip on the P&O ship Pacific Sky in September 2002.
Mrs Brimble was on holiday with her daughter and the pair had spent years saving up for the trip.
Although a jury could not determine if the drugs killed her, William Allender, a former police forensic toxicologist, believes she died after taking multiple doses of the drug.
Dianne Brimble, (pictured), from Brisbane, was found dead in a cabin while travelling on the Pacific Sky ship with her daughter in September 2002
‘Because she was drinking alcohol while enjoying herself as a regular passenger, unfortunately in combination (with GHB) resulted in her respiratory system shutting down and the poor woman died,’ Dr Allender told True Crime Australia.
‘Nothing seemed to come out of that case, I explained the combination resulted in her death, I was asked if she had any chance of survival and I said sadly I don’t think so.’
Dr Allender said that he sympathised with Mrs Brimble’s family.
‘I was disappointed with the outcome and my heart really went out to the poor woman and particularly her family. It is really quite a tragic case,’ he said.
After her death, eight men from Adelaide were considered as ‘persons of interest’.
Dianne Brimble was found naked in a cabin after taking multiple doses of GHB (pictured: cabin where Brimble’s body was found)
During a coronial inquest in 2006, prosecutors claimed the mother had died after being drugged with GHB and fantasy.
One of the men Mark Wilhelm, admitted to having sex with the 42-year-old shortly before her death.
He pleaded guilty to supplying her with the drug fantasy in April 2010.
After a long running trial the jury were unable to reach a verdict and the charges laid against three of the men were downgraded.
One of the men Mark Wilhelm (pictured), admitted to having sex with the 42-year-old shortly before her death.
Evidence was given that Mrs Brimble took the drug intentionally and sex with Willhelm was consensual.
The jury was hung after jurors were unable to determine whether the drug had significantly caused her death.
GHB is a depressant drug which slows down messages that travel from the brain to the body.
It is commonly referred to as fantasy or liquid ecstasy and gives the user a sense of euphoria.
Mrs Brimble had saved up to go on the trip for years and was holidaying with her daughter (pictured: Pacific Sky Ship cruise)