‘Shattered’ family of overdose victim begs Victorians to avoid synthetic drug

“Shattered” loved ones of a man who died in a mass opioid overdose in Broadmeadows are begging Victorians to stay away from a lethal synthetic drug, saying families will pay the ultimate price

Loved ones of a man who died in a mass opioid overdose in Melbourne’s north have broken their silence, begging Victorians to steer clear of a lethal synthetic drug that has “shattered” their family.

Michael Hodgkinson, 37, died when he and 17-year-old Abdul El Sayed, a 42-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man ingested protonitazene, a deadly substance 100 times more potent than heroin, on June 26.

Mr El Sayed’s uncle discovered the group’s bodies in the loungeroom of a Broadmeadows home that morning.

Michael Hodgkinson was one of four people who died in a synthetic opioid overdose. Picture: Supplied

Speaking publicly for the first time following the deaths, Mr Hodgkinson’s sister Nicole Hodgkinson told the Herald Sun she feared it was inevitable that more Victorians would die from ingesting substances laced with protonitazene.

“This drug is going to ruin so many families,” she said.

“Please do not take the chance. Our family will never be the same. Michael was a great person who sadly made a bad choice.

“Be aware of what you are putting in your body because, at the end of the day, it is your family who is going to suffer the consequences.

“We will forever be in pain not having Michael as a part of our lives. We never got to say goodbye.”

Siblings Kelsy Phillips, Jamie Hodgkinson, Michael Hodgkinson and Nicole Hodgkinson. Picture: Supplied

Ms Hodgkinson, 44, remembered her younger brother as a “funny and witty” man who cared deeply for others.

“My favourite thing about Michael is that he could make you laugh,” she said.

“No matter what was going on in his life, he would try to make you smile if you were down.

“We were just like peas and carrots. Same personality, same traits, same humour, the same temper.”

Jamie, Nicole, Michael and Matthew Hodgkinson as kids. Picture: Supplied

One of six siblings, Mr Hodgkinson was an uncle to four nieces and nephews and worked as a plasterer.

He was a “very active man” who loved playing football, cricket and golf and being with friends.

Mr Hodgkinson was born in Melbourne before his family moved to Tasmania, but returned to Victoria as a teenager.

Distraught loved ones at the home in Broadmeadows. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police at the scene where the bodies were found. Picture: David Crosling

Forensics teams at the home on Bicknell Court in Broadmeadows. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

His younger sister, Jamie, 26, said she had fond memories of their sibling rivalry, which led to typical brother-sister fights as children.

With much of Mr Hodgkinson’s family still living in Hobart, Ms Hodgkinson and Jamie this week flew to Melbourne to collect their brother’s belongings.

Police on Thursday confirmed the group had all ingested a lethal synthetic opioid, as health authorities warned other drugs such as cocaine were being cut with protonitazene.

The warning followed a string of recent incidents across Melbourne that caused “serious harms” to people who bought white powder believing it was cocaine.

Protonitazene has also been linked to overdoses interstate, including a death in South Australia.

Investigations and forensic testing into the Broadmeadows deaths continue.