A German tourist died after he accidentally hanged himself in the shower during an auto-erotic act, a Sydney coroner has found.
Stephan Bick, 43, was holidaying with his boyfriend in January 2012 when he was discovered naked and unconscious in a prayer-like position in the shower of his Darlinghurst holiday unit, Glebe Coroners Court heard.
A necklace was wrapped tightly around his neck and attached to the shower tap, the inquest was told on Tuesday.
He was placed on life support in hospital but died a few days later.
Advertisement Before he died, Mr Bick told a caretaker he was having difficulties with his boyfriend, Peter Blum, and might want to change rooms.
Mr Bick's family and friends told police they were suspicious of Mr Blum and his behaviour after he returned to Germany.
But the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Margaret Ashburn, said police had ruled out homicide and suicide.
Mr Bick had no defensive wounds to his body to indicate a struggle and he had never expressed any suicidal thoughts.
Coroner Mary Jerram noted Mr Blum had not been helpful to police since his partner's death.
"That's a pity as it leaves the family never being quite sure what happened," she said.
She found Mr Bick was performing an auto-erotic act when he lost consciousness, probably in a matter of seconds.
His death was accidental, she ruled.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 9:48 am