Inquest into the Death of David William LAVARS
Delivered on: 29 June 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Acting State Coroner Linton
Recommendations: Nil
Orders/Rules: N/A
Suppression Order
On the basis it would be contrary to the public interest, I make an Order under s 49(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1996 (WA) that there be no reporting or publication of the details of any evidence surrounding operational aspects of WA Police urgent duty/emergency driving policies and procedures, including any cap on the speed at which police officers are authorised to drive.
Summary
Robert Lavars died suddenly on 6 September 2022 after deliberately ingesting the highly toxic pesticide aluminium phosphide in the presence of police officers.
Mr Lavars had been on home detention at the time and was required to wear an electronic monitoring device. Prior to the police attendance he had removed the device, apparently as it’s beeping had been disrupting his sleep, and when questioned about it by a security officer Mr Lavars had made threats to harm himself. As a result, police were requested to attend his home to check on his welfare and then arrest him for breaching his bail conditions.
Three junior police officers from Rockingham Police Station were dispatched to Mr Lavars’s home address as no more senior officers were available due to resourcing issues. They arrived around midnight. Mr Lavars denied any current intent to harm himself when questioned by the officers. He was informed he was under arrest in relation to the removal of the electronic monitoring device.
While in the custody of police, Mr Lavars was allowed to get changed and then the officers assisted Mr Lavars and his wife to sign and witness their wills, at Mrs Lavars’ request. It was understood the signing of the wills was necessary as they had planned to have them signed and witnessed the following day, which would not be possible given Mr Lavars was going into custody. While still in his home, Mr Lavars moved out of sight of the officers for a short period of time. During that period, unknown to the officers, he obtained some aluminium phosphide tablets. He then consumed the tablets in the presence of the police officers.
When he was asked about what he had taken, Mr Lavars told the officers they were alternatively either lollies or antacids. He did not ask for medical treatment and did not appear unwell or distressed. Mr Lavars was placed into the police van to be transported to the Rockingham Police Station. During the short journey he became unwell. On arrival at the station, Mr Lavars was drowsy and vomiting. An ambulance was requested to attend and Mr Lavars was transported by ambulance from the station to Rockingham Hospital. Despite urgent medical treatment at the hospital, Mr Lavars succumbed to the poison and died at 3.53am.
A post mortem examination found Mr Lavars had died as a result of aluminium phosphine poisoning, related to the aluminium phosphide tablets he had taken, on a background of his pre-existing cardiac disease. An expert pharmacologist concluded even if Mr Lavars had received immediate medical treatment, it is unlikely he would have survived the poisoning, given the dose and his pre-existing health issues.
An internal police investigation concluded the junior officers had breached policy by failing to keep Mr Lavars under constant supervision after his arrest. They received managerial notices and no further action was taken.
The coroner did not make any recommendations.
Catch Words: Death in police presence : Poisoning : Probationary Police Constables : Mental health.
Last updated: 8 July 2026