By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The suicidal man who was found dead after an hours-long standoff with police in Centralia last month did indeed take his own life, according to the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.
Coroner Warren McLeod said today the results of the toxicology report show 58-year-old William L. Thomas died of an overdose of two prescription medications.
Back on Feb. 9, police went to a house on North Tower Avenue for a suicidal subject who reportedly threatened his wife and sister with a knife. Thomas emerged with a butcher knife and then retreated inside.
For the rest of the afternoon, officers used a loudspeaker and various other means to coax him out. Police launched 11 rounds of a type of pepper spray powder into the home.
Thomas was discovered dead by SWAT team members who finally stormed his house about 5:30 p.m. The main route through town was barricaded off until early that evening.
McLeod said he concluded the death was suicide, because of how much Hydrocodone and Trazadone Thomas ingested.
“These were lethal amounts, way above a therapeutic dose,” McLeod said.
Hydrocodone is a heavy-duty pain narcotic and Trazadone is used as an antidepressant or for anxiety and helps people sleep, according to McLeod.
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For background, read “Centralia man dead after allegedly displaying a knife” from Saturday February 9, 2013 at 7:22 p.m., here
those two meds should never be taken toghter small dose or large. they are a deadly combonation. i found this out by lookig it up. my dr ahd me on both of them! i was havign reactions with a small dose!