A popular Australian social media star and family man has died after reportedly taking cocaine without knowing it had been laced with powerful opioids.
Dunka Raymond Caldwell was found dead at her home in Glebe on August 30. Her friend Angel Mounce-Stephens, 43, who also called herself Angela Yazgan, was found dead hours later at her home in Newtown.information The Daily Telegraph.
Caldwell had more than 330,000 followers on social media, where he was known by the username “Humdinger”. Known for his viral content, he is remembered as an influential figure who “spread positivity” in Sydney’s inner west community.
Last week, the New South Wales Department of Health issued a public health warning about drugs contaminated with heroin following the incident, which also sent two other people to hospital.
Australians are the world’s biggest per capita users of cocaine, with thousands queuing outside pub and nightclub toilets every weekend to snort the drug.
Health officials are increasingly concerned about drug users unwittingly snorting opioids, and Dr. Hester Wilson, a leading addiction medicine specialist, warns: “A heroin overdose could quickly result from a single line of snort.”.
‘Heroin and other opioids can be sold as or found in cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy). It is not always possible to differentiate these drugs by their appearance.’
TikTok star Dunka Caldwell has died and NSW Health has warned of opioid-laced cocaine appearing in Sydney
Caldwell’s sister Kirri Fernando, who is the mother of South Sydney Rabbitohs player Tyrone Munro, also died recently in unrelated circumstances, compounding the tragedy.
“Heartbreaking news… May their souls rest in peace. My condolences to the Caldwell/Fernando families, I’m so sorry,” said former boxer and rugby league star Anthony Mundine.
Dozens of other tributes to Mr Caldwell have been shared online.
“I am absolutely devastated by your passing. Everyone in our community is so sad today and the world is a little less bright without you… Thank you for being the life of the party and supporting me,” wrote family friend Shanell Dargan.
“You were my big brother on TikTok and I will never forget the extra effort you always made for me… Thank you for always being so positive,” wrote influencer Jasmin Mitwali.
“I can’t believe Humdinger is gone. He was such a fun and positive guy. I loved watching his videos. My condolences to his family and friends,” wrote Mick La Varliosis.
Mr Caldwell was influential in Sydney’s inner-west community and former boxer and rugby league star Anthony Mundine expressed his condolences to his family.
NSW Health said that in light of the detection of contaminated substances, people who use street drugs should carry the opioid overdose medication nalaxone with them.
“It’s important for people to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose early and know how to respond. Opioids like heroin can cause constricted pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slow breathing/snoring, and bluish/gray discoloration of the skin, and can be life-threatening,” the department said.
‘One of the dangers of illicit drug supply is that the potency and content of the substance being obtained is unknown and can be inconsistent.’
Police said they are investigating the incident but have not yet received official autopsy and toxicology reports.