Inquest into the Death of Wayne HARRIS
Delivered on: 14 April 2026
Delivered at: Perth
Finding of: Coroner Sarah Tyler
Recommendations:
Orders/Rules: N/A
Suppression Order: N/A
Summary:
Mr Wayne Harris (Wayne) was a 56 year old Aboriginal man who died from complications of advanced metastatic sigmoid adenocarcinoma at Bethesda Hospital on 28 November 2024.
At the time of his death, Wayne was a sentenced prisoner, entering custody on 28 September 2022 following his conviction in relation to child sex offences. Wayne’s medical history included significant pre-existing medical conditions. He had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2015, and despite treatment including surgery and chemotherapy treatment, in 2018 his cancer spread and he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer.
When Wayne was sentenced, it was known that his life expectancy was reduced as a result of his terminal cancer. In November 2022, Wayne’s treating oncologist expressed the opinion that Wayne’s life expectancy was in the range of 12 to 24 months if he continued to receive palliative chemotherapy. Wayne died in custody just over 24 months after that letter was written.
In February 2023, scans showed Wayne’s cancer had returned to his right lung. He was to re-start palliative chemotherapy on a reduced (50%) dose, to try to mitigate the risk of adverse side-effects Wayne had experienced during earlier treatment in the community.
In 2023, Wayne missed multiple medical appointments at Fiona Stanely Hospital for palliative chemotherapy, for reasons including his own ill-health, a sore back, and his claustrophobia and anxiety associated with the types of prison transport vehicles arranged to take Wayne to his appointments.
In December 2023, Wayne’s cancer had spread, which was sadly not unexpected in light of his multiple missed medical appointments for treatment, his reduced dose of palliative chemotherapy, and his terminal diagnosis.
Wayne’s condition deteriorated throughout 2024, and he was hospitalised in October 2024 before his discharge to Casuarina Prison for management in the Casuarina Infirmary. By November 2024, Wayne’s condition had further deteriorated, and he required medical care beyond that which the Casuarina Infirmary could provide. Wayne was again hospitalised, before he was admitted to Bethesda Hospital for end of life care.
Efforts were made to keep Wayne comfortable until his passing on 28 November 2024.
At the conclusion of an external post mortem examination, a forensic pathologist expressed the opinion the cause of his death was complications of advanced metastatic sigmoid adenocarcinoma.
The Coroner was satisfied that the standard of the medical supervision, treatment and care Wayne received while he was in custody was of an acceptable standard, other than in relation to the transportation issue that arose in 2023.
The Coroner was satisfied that once the transportation issue was properly understood, the Department made arrangements to ensure Wayne was provided a suitable transport vehicle to facilitate attendance at his medical appointments.
Given the circumstances that led to the transportation issue have already been considered internally, as outlined by the Department of Justice Health Review, and steps are being considered to address the issue, the Coroner did not make any recommendations.
The Coroner found that Wayne died as a result of the progression of his pre-existing terminal illness, and his death occurred by way of natural causes.
Catch Words: Mandatory inquest: Death in custody: Natural causes.
Last updated: 22 April 2026