Inquest into the Death of Troy Michael CONLEY
Inquest into the Death of Troy Michael CONLEY
Delivered on : 9 July 20198
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner King
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : The deceased was a gyprock worker who had used drugs from an early age. By 2010 he was addicted to intravenous amphetamine and heroin. He had an extensive and varied criminal history which included traffic offences, burglary and stealing, and drug offences.
On 16 October 2012 the deceased was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Upon his initial entry to prison on remand, he commenced a methadone program and he stayed on it throughout his custody. On 15 June 2012 the deceased saw a medical officer in Hakea Prison with a cough and wheeze. Six months later, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
On 7 January 2016 the deceased was admitted to the emergency department at Bunbury Hospital and was treated with intravenous antibiotics and steroids for infective exacerbation of chronic lung disease. On 12 January 2016 he was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and diagnosed with likely foreign body granulomatosis (talcosis) secondary to intravenous drug use causing progressive upper lobe fibrosis, likely upper lobe emphysema, central progressive massive fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. He was advised that a lung transplant would be particularly onerous and that the only other treatment option was palliation.
On 13 January 2016 the deceased advised that he wanted palliation. On 21 January 2016 he died with his family present after he had received a release from prison under the royal prerogative of mercy earlier that day.
The coroner found that the deceased died from severe COPD and that death occurred by way of natural causes. The coroner was satisfied that the treatment and care of the deceased while incarcerated was reasonable and appropriate.
Catch Words : prisoner; COPD; talcosis; intravenous drug use; smoking; COPD; royal prerogative of mercy; natural causes.
Last updated: 25-Jul-2019
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