Based on clinical and autopsy findings and the results of additional tests as well as the description of events preceding the woman’s hospitalization, the authors concluded that death was caused by extensive intracerebral hermatomas, cerebral edema, and an acute massive inflammatory process that involved almost all internal organs, consistent with sepsis and initial stages of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The weakening of blood vessel walls and aneurismal distension of blood vessels led to vessel rupture and formation of intracerebral hemorrhages. The injury and self-administration of amphetamine derivatives might have directly facilitated the process. The most likely cause of bacterium was intravenous self-administration of “Polish heroin” contaminated by a high number of microorganisms. When brought to the hospital by ambulance, the woman presented with qualitative impairment of consciousness, sensor motor aphasia, paralysis of the left upper extremity, and positive meningeal signs. Her cubital fossae, wrists, and bilateral groins showed numerous postinjection traces and bruising. Her entire body was spotted with macular, raspberry-red petechiae. Laboratory tests performed immediately upon admission indicated very high leukocytosis, a decreased blood platelet count and prothrombin index, increased activity of liver aminotransferases, amylase, urea, troponin, and CKMB levels. The ELISA method showed the presence of benzodiazepines and opiates in the blood, as well as members of the amphetamine group in the urine. The patient steadily deteriorated after admission, suffering cardiac arrest with asystole 12 hours after admission. 5 references