Initial findings from the postmortems conducted on two teenagers who tragically died within hours of each other on a Greek Island have been disclosed. The preliminary results suggest that Andrew O’Donnell died as a result of a fall, while Max Wall's death was attributed to cardiac problems.
Max had a history of heart issues and had previously undergone surgery. However, it is expected that the comprehensive toxicology and post mortem results for the Dublin classmates will not be available for at least a week.
A source, who is familiar with the procedures at the forensic science department in Piraeus, stated: "Toxicological tests will take longer. Such analysis is crucial and will definitively establish the cause of death in both cases."
The two students passed away within 24 hours of each other last weekend. Although the police have already ruled out foul play, separate investigations are still ongoing on the Aegean island of Ios.
The bodies of the 18-year-olds were discovered on Sunday. Initially, the police found Andrew's body on a rocky path near Hora, which is Ios' main town. Later, they found Max, who had collapsed on a side street close to the island's port after learning about the fate of his friend. Max had been part of a group of 10 friends who spent Saturday night searching for O'Donnell after he went missing.
Brigadier Thanos Loukas, who leads police operations in the south Aegean, stated on Tuesday that it is too early to rule out anything. He said, "We have no reason to believe that any criminal activity is involved, but at this stage, we are examining all possibilities, including spiked drinks."
This double tragedy marked a devastating end to a holiday organised by St Michael's College, the boys' school in Dublin, to celebrate the completion of their secondary education.
In popular resort islands like Ios, where cheap alcohol is readily available, spiked drinks, known as "bombs," are not uncommon. In the past, authorities have had to take action against an old Greek practice of mixing alcohol with industrial spirits to stretch cocktails, with police conducting raids on bars across the country.
Andrew had been drinking with friends on Saturday when he decided to walk back to his rented accommodation alone. The police believe that he fell and hit his head before collapsing that night.
Yesterday, hundreds of Irish students, led by their fellow pupils from St Michael's, began leaving the island together. Teachers described them as "heartbroken and traumatised" by the loss of their two friends.
