Greg Brice A gay Auckland man found dead in the street three years ago died of accidental asphyxiation resulting from alcohol intoxication and a fall, the Coroner has found. In a finding made twelve months ago but only today provided to GayNZ.com, the Coroner says that Gregory Stewart Lee Brice, partner of highly respected gay lawyer Alan Ivory, died in the early hours of the morning of 25 July 2008. It appears that under the influence of alcohol Brice may have fallen into a position which blocked his airway. "Mr Brice was found face down on the pavement some hours after he ws last seen alive. A number of minor abrasions and lacerations were present on the face and limbs which were consistent with his having sustained a fall prior to death," the Coroner says. Brice's body was found at dawn by a member of the public but may have lain there for some time. Staff of the nearby Lateshift gay cruise club said at the time that he had not visited the club and did not appear to have been in the street when staff closed up shortly after 3am. A police investigation did not find any suspicious circumstances.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 27th June 2011 - 4:17pm