Inquest into the Death of Nathan Barreto SEXTON
Inquest into the Death of Nathan Barreto SEXTON
Delivered on : 3 July 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Jenkin
Recommendations : No
Orders/Rules : No
Suppression Order : Yes
On the basis it would be contrary to the public interest, I make an Order under s49(1)(b) Coroners Act 1996 that that there be no reporting or publication of the details of or discussion 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 : Nathan Barreto Sexton (Mr Sexton) was 31 years of age when he died near the intersection of O’Connor Street and Great Eastern Highway, Merredin on 21 October 2023 from head and neck injuries, after shooting himself with a double-barrelled shotgun.
The coroner was satisfied that prior to his death, Mr Sexton was armed with a double-barrel shotgun, and that he had allegedly committed very serious offences including being armed in a way to cause fear, robbery in circumstances aggravation (car-jacking), and attempt to unlawfully kill. The coroner concluded that Mr Sexton was therefore a serious risk to road users and the general public, and that decision of police officers to attempt to intercept him was clearly justifiable and appropriate.
Police had been following Mr Sexton’s vehicle at low speed, and shortly before 12.00 am on 22 October 2023, Mr Sexton slowed his vehicle to a stop and pulled to the side of Great Eastern Highway in Merredin. Police approached the vehicle and found Mr Sexton sitting, unresponsive, in the driver’s seat of the car. Police removed Mr Sexton and started CPR, but he could not be revived.
The coroner was satisfied that that neither the actions of police involved in the attempted intercept of Mr Sexton, nor the resuscitation efforts by those officers, caused or contributed to Mr Sexton’s death.
Catch Words : Police pursuit : Intoxicated : Methylamphetamine: Cannabis : Suicide
Last updated: 28 July 2025