The Straits Times<\/em><\/a> reported that it has no legitimate medical use in humans and no effective antidote.
<\/p>\nIt is falsely marketed by illegal sellers as a fast and safe weight-loss drug.
<\/p>\n
Toxicology tests conducted after his death detected a fatal amount of DNP in his system.
<\/p>\n
The substance was found in samples of his stomach contents, and the coroner found it probable that he had consumed it shortly before his death.
<\/p>\n
Had been stressed over competitions<\/h2>\n
The youth had been training intensely for bodybuilding competitions and hoped to become a professional bodybuilder.
<\/p>\n
His mother also planned to open a gym for him to run so he could pursue his passion, the report noted.
<\/p>\n
He would spend long hours training intensely, and was very disciplined about his diet while preparing for competitions.
<\/p>\n
During a clinic visit in August 2024, he reported struggling with uncontrollable binge-eating, which he attributed to the stress of preparing for competitions.
<\/p>\n
He sought and was prescribed weight-loss medication, but that medication was not linked to the DNP that caused his death.
<\/p>\n
In the early hours of Dec. 22, 2024, he was admitted to hospital after experiencing heart palpitations and difficulty breathing.
<\/p>\n
While at the hospital, the youth had told hospital staff he had taken \u201cfat burners\u201d.
<\/p>\n
It could not be determined whether the youth knew he was taking DNP.
<\/p>\n
A medical report cited by the coroner said bodybuilders may use medicines off-label in pursuit of a muscular, \u201cshredded\u201d physique.
<\/p>\n
Bodybuilders are also highly vulnerable to muscle dysmorphia, said the report.
<\/p>\n
Source of DNP unknown<\/h2>\n
During investigations, police found 34 types of medication and other substances at his home, but none contained DNP.
<\/p>\n
Many were used to manage the side effects of performance-enhancing steroids, and some\u00a0were prescription medications for conditions there was no evidence the youth had.
<\/p>\n
Police seized the youth\u2019s mobile phone during investigations, but were unable to unlock it.
<\/p>\n
As a result, they could not establish where the substances he had been taking, including the DNP, came from, ST<\/em> reported.
<\/p>\nThe coroner said his family knew he had been taking supplements, but did not question him as they trusted him.
<\/p>\n
Mother questions how he obtained drug<\/h2>\n
In court, the youth\u2019s mother questioned how her son had been able to obtain DNP.
<\/p>\n
She raised the possibility that he could have been \u201cencouraged\u201d or coerced to take it while preparing for a bodybuilding competition.
<\/p>\n
He was \u201cunder tremendous pressure to keep to a certain weight and a physique\u201d, she added.
<\/p>\n
She also said there was a person from the bodybuilding community behaving suspiciously at her son’s wake.
<\/p>\n
Despite the mother’s concerns, the coroner said there was no evidence that DNP had been given to the youth against his will.
<\/p>\n
Police did not suspect foul play.
<\/p>\n
He advised the mother to make a police statement, adding that the inquiry could be reopened if the new information warranted it. She agreed.
<\/p>\n
A follow-up court session is scheduled for Oct. 26.
<\/p>\n
The judge said that the youth’s drive and dedication to his sport was apparent, and called his death a “profound tragedy”.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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