Inquest into the Death of Mark Warton BENNETT-ROBERTSON

Inquest into the Death of Mark Warton BENNETT-ROBERTSON

Delivered on :2 March 2016

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner King

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : The deceased was a 25 years old involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act 1996 at the time of his death. He committed suicide by hanging.

On 13 March 2013 the deceased was taken by police officers to the emergency department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital because he was experiencing psychotic delusions. A registrar diagnosed the deceased with dexamphetamine-induced psychosis and at risk of harming others. He placed the deceased under the Mental Health Act 1996 as an involuntary patient to be reviewed by a psychiatrist.

On 15 March 2013 a psychiatrist noted that the deceased could not be safely managed on an open ward so transferred him to Graylands Hospital where he was placed in a closed ward.

The deceased’s condition improved though he remained delusional. On 6 April 2013 the deceased from absconded from Graylands Hospital while on unescorted leave. He returned to his home and police returned him to Graylands Hospital.

The deceased’s condition again improved. Arrangements were made to discharge him into his aunt’s care to return to New Zealand for further treatment. On 19 April 2013 a medical officer transferred him to an open ward.

On 21 April 2013 the deceased left his ward and did not return. On 24 April 2013 he was found hanging in Kings Park.

The Coroner found that the cause of death was ligature compression of the neck (hanging) and that death occurred by way of suicide.

The Coroner found that the supervision, treatment and care of the deceased while an involuntary patient was reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances.

Catch Words : Involuntary patient : Mental illness: Graylands: Absconding : Hanging : Suicide

Last updated: 27-Feb-2024

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Inquest Finding (PDF)