Pat Gorman "Suicide" Denatured Alcohol 1929

Photo found in book, "Death Scenes," titled, "Pat Gorman "Suicide" Denatured Alcohol" 

On Monday, June 17, 1929, a newspaper article titled "Identify Rum Poison Victim" reported a tragic incident involving the death of a man from alcohol poisoning. The victim, Patrick McShane Gorman, 50, had been dead for about five days when his body was discovered lying near a stack of baled hay in a hay field located in the Bandini district, along Telegraph Road, east of the Samson Tire Company.

Gorman's body was found by two boys, Fred and Ralph Pulley, who were employees of the Los Angeles Gun Club. Upon their discovery, Deputy Sheriff A.L. Hutchinson arrived at the scene and found two bottles near Gorman—one empty and the other half-filled with what was identified as denatured alcohol. Hutchinson was able to identify Gorman using cards and papers found in his pockets.

The article revealed that Gorman was last seen alive working at the haystack, suggesting that he may have been there for some time before his death. Further investigation by the Coroner’s office confirmed that Gorman had been suffering from tuberculosis, which may have contributed to his physical condition at the time of his death. The unfortunate circumstances highlighted the dangers of alcohol consumption during that period, as denatured alcohol was often used in makeshift liquor during Prohibition.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol (the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages) that has been deliberately made toxic by adding chemicals like methanol, acetone, or other harmful substances to make it undrinkable. It is used for industrial purposes, such as cleaning or as fuel, and is not intended for human consumption. When ingested, denatured alcohol can cause severe poisoning and lead to death through several mechanisms:

Methanol Poisoning: Many types of denatured alcohol contain methanol, a highly toxic alcohol. Once consumed, methanol is metabolized by the liver into formaldehyde and formic acid, both of which are extremely toxic to the body's tissues. This can result in damage to the optic nerve, leading to blindness, and can cause central nervous system depression, leading to coma or death.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression: Denatured alcohol can act as a potent depressant on the central nervous system. This can cause confusion, impaired motor skills, unconsciousness, and in large enough quantities, respiratory failure, which can lead to death.

Organ Failure: Denatured alcohol's toxic components are metabolized by the liver, which can become overwhelmed, leading to liver failure. Additionally, the toxins can damage the kidneys and other vital organs, further contributing to the victim's demise.

Acidosis: Methanol and other chemicals in denatured alcohol can lead to metabolic acidosis, where the body’s pH balance becomes dangerously acidic. This condition impairs normal cellular functions and can cause shock, cardiac arrest, and death if untreated.

Overall, consuming denatured alcohol is extremely dangerous due to the toxic additives that make it lethal, and it can kill someone quickly depending on the amount ingested and the individual’s health condition.

Suicide prevention

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