Tragic rugby ace had a rare heart disorder
Inquest told condition and drug abuse proved fatal
A FORMER Rossendale rugby player was killed by a combination of a rare heart disorder and drug abuse, an inquest heard.
Max Chandler was found by his family in the bedroom of the home he shared with his mother and brother, Kit.
An ‘integral part’ of the Rossendale RUFC senior colts team in 2012, he was described as ‘a gentle giant’ and ‘tough, hard working, honest and brave’.
An inquest into the 28-year-old’s death heard that Max had a rare heart disorder which, combined with cocaine and methadone use, killed him.
The inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard how Max had struggled with drugs and his mental health. Pathologist Dr Abdul Quader Ganjifrockwala attributed Max’s cause of death to an infection called granulomatous myocarditis, a rare and fatal disorder, as well as methadone toxicity and abuse of cocaine.
AFORMER rugby union player was tragically found dead in his bedroom.
Max Chandler, 28, was found by his family on December 27, 2020, in the bedroom of the home he shared with his mother and brother, Kit.
An inquest into his death heard Max had a rare heart disorder which, combined with cocaine and methadone use, killed him.
Max, a number eight, had played for Sedgley Park Tigers and Rossendale, who after his death described him as ‘a gentle giant’.
A tribute to Max on the Rossendale RUFC website said: “He was an integral member of the successful senior colts team who went on to win the colts league, Lancashire cup and cock of the north trophies in 2012.
“Max was a genuine guy, who was a gentle giant off the pitch and always went the extra mile for his team mates and those around him.
“He was always there to lend an ear and was exactly the sort of man you want beside you on the pitch; tough, hard working, honest and brave.
“His team mates and coaches have fond memories of him running over defences and causing havoc for opposing teams, and he will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all.”
The inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard how Max had struggled with drugs and his mental health.
Six years ago, he was diagnosed with epilepsy which his brother, Kit, said had ‘affected him very badly’.
In 2018, after he separated from his girlfriend and had moved back home, Kit told the hearing how he saved Max’s life when he tried to commit suicide.
But Max also overdosed - once using heroin - unsuccessfully on several occasions, leaving notes to his family that were later found, and had self harmed, the inquest heard.
Kit, who is seven years older than Max, said: “My brother suffered from continuous low mood which he just couldn’t seem to come round from , but physically he wasn’t well either. “
He said that shortly before the pandemic hit in 2020, Max had overdosed and spent four days in intensive care.
“We don’t know what he had taken,” Kit said.
However, Max’s health had started improving later in 2020, although Kit said he had been affected by the isolation during the pandemic.
Max, of Bury, been clear of any seizures for two years and was hoping to start driving again soon, said Kit.
“He used to confide in me about certain things,” he said.
“But not everything. He just wasn’t like that. But if he been contemplating harming himself he would’ve told me.”
Pathologist Dr Abdul Quader Ganjifrockwala said that the post mortem examination and toxicology tests showed a number of prescribed and non prescribed drugs, for eplilepsy, anxiety, and pain relief as well as cocaine and the heroin substitute methadone, but ‘not to levels which were excessively high’.
He attributed Max’s cause of death to an infection called granulomatous myocarditis, a rare and fatal disorder, as well as methadone toxicity and abuse of cocaine.
Miss Roberts agreed with his findings and added: “It is unclear how frequently he was taking methadone or cocaine, but his use of these significantly contributed to his death.
“I am satisfied that the methadone use was at a range a naive user would find toxic.”
She ruled Max had died as a result of his abuse of cocaine and the heroine substitute methadone coupled with a rare infection which affected his heart.