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Government of Western Australia State Coat of Arms
Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Government of Western Australia State Coat of Arms
Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest Findings

Home →Inquest Findings→Inquest Findings 2026→Buswell, Bradley Craig

Inquest into the Death of Bradley Craig BUSWELL

Delivered on: 7 August 2026

Delivered at: Perth

Finding of: Brendyn Dean Nelson

Recommendations: Yes

Orders/Rules: No

Suppression Order: No

Recommendation No 1: The WA Country Health Service prioritise any remaining steps to allow electroconvulsive therapy to be available to patients in Bunbury as soon as practicable.

Summary:

Bradley Craig Buswell died on 31 March 2025 at the age of 41 while subject to a Community Treatment Order under the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA). He was found unresponsive at home, with the cause of death determined as combined drug toxicity. While the amount of medication taken was consistent with an overdose, the Coroner could not determine whether Bradley intended to end his life or whether the ingestion occurred during a psychotic episode, resulting in an open finding.

Bradley had treatment-resistant schizophrenia and received extensive support from the Bunbury Community Mental Health Team, his family and an NDIS support worker. Over several years, he underwent a range of treatments, including multiple medications, and hospital admissions.

The Coroner found his care was of a high standard and recommended prioritising the establishment of ECT services in Bunbury.

Catch Words: Community Treatment Order, Open Finding.


Last updated: 18 August 2026

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