I n the middle of winter last year, in a unit in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Carly Morse, Thomas Vale, Michael Hodgkinson and Abdul El Sayed used a rolled-up bank note to inhale cocaine. About 3am on 24 June 2024, all four likely become unresponsive.

El Sayed’s uncle, Cory Lewis, became concerned late the following night when his nephew, who had been living with him, did not return home.

He banged on the door of the unit, but there was no answer. A reflective tint on a side window meant he could not see inside, so Lewis jumped a fence and went to the back of the unit.

Through a small gap in a blind on the rear kitchen window, Lewis could see El Sayed sitting on the floor against the pantry with froth coming from his mouth.

Lewis used a rubber mallet to smash his way inside the unit.

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