A Fatal Dose at Wellington Castle
A woman has died after consuming GHB at a Wellington property known as Wellington Castle. Property owner Travis Mackay confirmed the fatality, which is now being investigated by police alongside four other suspected overdoses across the Wellington district. Authorities have issued an urgent warning regarding the risks of the substance, commonly referred to as fantasy or liquid ecstasy.
The Fatal Incident in the Hills
Inspector Wade Jennings confirmed that police responded to five separate suspected GHB overdoses in Miramar, Brooklyn, Johnsonville, and Upper Hutt. One of these incidents occurred at a mansion in the Wellington hills, formerly known as Woofingtons, resulting in the woman’s death. Travis Mackay stated the woman had been struggling with drug addiction and was attempting to taper off her use. According to Mackay, she accidentally consumed an unmeasured amount of the drug directly from a bottle after failing to locate her measuring equipment. Mackay initially believed she had fallen asleep, only realizing the severity of the situation when he could not wake her. Despite his attempts to perform CPR, the woman could not be revived.
Volatility in the Drug Supply
The Drug Foundation has issued an urgent warning regarding the composition of substances sold as GHB. Executive director Sarah Helm stated that between January and March, 46% of tested samples were not what the user expected. Helm emphasized that the substance is highly potent and carries a significant risk of overdose, particularly when combined with alcohol or other depressants, which can cause the body to shut down. The Drug Foundation has noted an uptake in the drug throughout New Zealand. Because it is difficult to identify the specific nature of a “G” substance without testing, experts are advising the public to exercise extreme caution.
A Property Under Scrutiny
Police are treating the cluster of overdose incidents as a priority due to the ongoing risk to public safety. Inspector Jennings has urged anyone in possession of the substance not to consume it, while the investigation into the death and the wider distribution of the drug remains ongoing. The property involved, Wellington Castle, was previously the subject of a 2019 police raid and a documentary series, placing the site under public scrutiny. Authorities continue to monitor the Wellington district for further incidents as the investigation progresses.
