Police are investigating after a care home resident choked to death on a cupcake topped with a marshmallow.Â
Alexander Ballmann, 45, suffered from a rare genetic disorder that caused swallowing difficulties.Â
He collapsed after eating the cake at Sandsground Care Home in Highworth, Wiltshire, on October 31 last year.Â
He was revived by medics and taken to hospital, but was placed in palliative care and died the following day.Â
A post-mortem found he suffered brain damage caused by a cardiac arrest after choking.Â
A police spokesperson confirmed: ‘We are investigating the death of Alexander Ballmann which is currently being treated as unexplained.’
They added: ‘The care home involved is actively assisting with the investigation and the staff members directly involved have been spoken to by officers.
‘Mr Ballmann’s family are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.’
Mr Ballmann collapsed after eating the cake at Sandsground Care Home in Highworth, Wiltshire, above, on October 31 last year
A spokesperson at the home said they were unable to comment.Â
A forensic post-mortem has been held, and the inquiry has already lasted nearly 11 months.
A poignant tribute in a local paper said: ‘To my brother Miss you always Nicola.’
Mr Ballmann died on November 1 last year, but details have only just been made public with the opening of the inquest into his death at Salisbury, Wiltshire.
The cause of death was hypoxic ischemic Encephalopathy caused by cardiac arrest resuscitated following choking on food in an individual with cornelia de lange syndrome
The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
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Police launch investigation after care home resident, 45, dies after choking on cupcake