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posted by martyb on Tuesday September 05 2017, @01:49PM   Printer-friendly
from the sad-way-to-go dept.

A North Carolina man has been charged with murder after killing his wife during what he claims was a dream. Audio from a 911 call the man made has been released:

A Raleigh, North Carolina, man accused of killing his wife told a 911 dispatcher that he took too much cold medicine and woke up to find her "dead on the floor."

Early Friday morning, Matthew Phelps, 28, called 911 and told the dispatcher, "I had a dream and then I turned on the lights and she's dead on the floor." "I have blood all over me and there's a bloody knife on the bed," Phelps said. "I think I did it." "I can't believe this," he said.

The Raleigh Police Department released the audio from the 911 call but redacted some information and altered the caller's voice.

Phelps told 911, "I took more medicine than I should have." He said he "took Coricidin Cough & Cold," explaining, "a lot of times I can't sleep at night." The dispatcher asked if the victim was awake, and Phelps responded, "She's not breathing. Oh my God."

Coricidin Cough & Cold is made by Bayer. It contains an antihistamine, chlorpheniramine maleate, and a cough suppressant, dextromethorphan hydrobromide. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is used recreationally for its dissociative effects.

Bayer, the makers of Coricidin, said in a statement, "Bayer extends our deepest sympathies to this family." "Patient safety is our top priority, and we continually monitor adverse events regarding all of our products," Bayer said, adding, "There is no evidence to suggest that Coricidin is associated with violent behavior."


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  • (Score: 3, Informative) by Kalas on Tuesday September 05 2017, @04:24PM

    by Kalas (4247) on Tuesday September 05 2017, @04:24PM (#563803)

    Regarding the side effect of somnolence, that's only in dose within or not too far above the recommended range on the box. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is the main active ingredient in OTC cough medicines and at psychedelic doses actually gains a stimulant effect, despite the user still feeling heavily sedated at the same time. From personal experience (both using and trip-sitting) I'd describe it as a sort of tense "electric" energy you can feel through your entire body. Uncomfortable at times but plenty tolerable given the euphoria. I don't think I can well put into words that mix of sedation and stimulation but it is absolutely believable that the guy would be awake, if not altogether aware or functional at the time of the call.
    All that said, in my countless experiences with various psychedelics I have not once felt the need to murder someone, much less act on any violent impulse. I don't know about other mental illnesses but I know marijuana for example can trigger the early onset of latent schizophrenia. Not much of a stretch to think other psychedelics could do the same.

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