Five Casualties in CloseUp Forever Summer Concert

Police say two of the casualties at last month's Closeup concert died due to numerous organ failure after taking drugs and alcohol. 

MANILA, Philippines – Two of the casualties at the Closeup Forever Summer Concert died due to numerous organ failure, with their hearts and brains have been impaired after they took a cocktail of drugs and alcohol amid the outdoors event a month ago. 

PNP Crime Laboratory Director Emmanuel Aranas presents autopsy and toxicology

 The Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory on Tuesday, June 7, released its autopsy and toxicology findings on the bodies of concert-goers Ken Miyagawa, 18, and Eric Anthony Mill operator, 33.

The two casualties died alongside with 3 others after attending the Closeup concert on May 21.

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PNP Crime Laboratory Director Emmanuel Aranas said both casualties took MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and a mix of different medications. They also had high blood alcohol content (BAC) levels, which speeded up the result of the medications in their system. 

As indicated by toxicology findings, Miyagawa took MDMA, PMA (para-methoxyamphetamine), and MDC (3,4-methylenedioxycathinone). His BAC level was 0.182 mg/ml.

Meanwhile, Miller took MDMA, PMA, and amphetamine. His BAC was at 0.138 mg/ml.

Aranas said that with those amounts of alcohol, the two casualties were in a condition of heightened excitement and confusion.

The brains of both casualties were also edematous or had an excessive amount of watery fluid, weighed more than normal. Their heart muscles were impaired, as well as the tissues of the kidneys. 

Aranas said that the MDMA attacked on the heart, making heartbeats irregular. The drug also affected the neurotransmitters in the brain.

"This is a vicious cycle na 'di natatapos (that does not end), each one of the organs were constantly affected hanggang nagkaroon ng (until there was a) loss of function," Aranas said.

The casualties gradually fell into a daze because of the impacts of the drugs. 

'Direct damage'

Because of the alcohol intake, the drugs produced results rapidly on the casualties' bodies. However, Aranas also said because the heart muscles were specifically damaged, the possibility that the casualties may be saved if they had been rushed to the hospital earlier was also small. 

"There is a chance but almost nil, because of the cardiac and brain effect. When you have brain edema, it will take a long time before you become conscious again," he said.

Aranas included that the two casualties may have been previous drug users, based on autopsy findings.

"Sa findings ng pathologist namin, si Miyagawa may fibrosis sa heart, parang lumang depekto sa heart muscles. Most likely, baka before nag-take na siya, kaya lang nakakaya. Pero just the same, nagkaroon ng problema sa heart," he said.

(According to the findings of our pathologist, Miyagawa had heart fibrosis. It resembles an old imperfection in the heart muscles. In all probability, perhaps before he had been taking drugs, however he could endure it. In any case, there was an issue with his heart.)

"May previous na problema sa puso ng dalawa na may malaking posibilidad na meron nang nakakaapekto sa puso nila dati, na possibly dahil sa drugs," he added.

Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed traces of two synthetic drugs comparable in effect to the illegal drug ecstasy in the bodies of two other concert casualties: Bianca Fontejon, 18, and Lance Garcia, 36. 

Both casualties had watery liquid in their internal organs and experienced internal bleeding.

The NBI has captured 6 alleged drug dealers suspected of selling illicit substances amid the event.

Source: Rappler.com