Autoerotic asphyxial deaths and social network response.

A study of 132 autoerotic asphyxial deaths revealed that family members and friends, in addition to experiencing shock over the sudden aspect of the death, frequently were the ones to discover the decedent's body and were confused by the sexual nature of the death. Clinicians are urged to be alert for signs of such potentially lethal sexual activity among the young people they see, and to be prepared to assist bereaved family members.