Inquest into the Death of Monique Jacinta GOMEZ
Inquest into the Death of Monique Jacinta GOMEZ
Delivered on : 11 July 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Urquhart
Recommendations : No
Orders/Rules : No
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : On 29 May 2023, Monique Jacinta Gomez (Ms Gomez) died from an intracerebral haemorrhage while receiving treatment at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) for an embolic stroke and mental health issues. She was 48 years old.
At the time of her death, Ms Gomez was an involuntary patient under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA) and an inquest into her death was mandatory as she was a person held in care.
Ms Gomez had a complicated physical and mental health history. Her conditions included a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and an extended hospital admission in October 2021 for surgery involving a mechanical aortic valve replacement. Ms Gomez was required to take antipsychotic and anticoagulant medications for these two conditions, and she was not always compliant.
On 18 April 2023, Ms Gomez had an embolic stroke and was admitted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. On 28 April 2023, she was transferred to the neuro-rehabilitation ward at FSH.
Although she was making steady progress initially, by 19 May 2023, Ms Gomez had stopped taking her antipsychotic medication. She also refused to take her anticoagulant medication. By 22 May 2023, Ms Gomez had had an acute psychotic relapse and was physically and verbally abusive towards FSH staff. She was subsequently made an involuntary patient by a consultant psychiatrist on 23 May 2023.
Although Ms Gomez’s mental health had begun to improve, at 1.30 am on 28 May 2023, nursing staff found her unresponsive in bed and she was transferred to the ICU. A CT scan confirmed a massive intracranial haemorrhage and following testing which confirmed brain death, Ms Gomez was declared deceased on 29 May 2023.
The Coroner was satisfied that the supervision, treatment and care Ms Gomez had received at FSH was appropriate, including the decision to make her an involuntary patient on 23 May 2023.
Catch Words : Involuntary Patient : Person Held in Care : Schizoaffective Disorder : Misadventure
Last updated: 28 July 2025