Inquest into the Death of Stephen Joseph SCHIPP
Inquest into the Death of Stephen Joseph SCHIPP
Delivered on : 27 November 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Nelson
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : In January 2023, Stephen Joseph Schipp (Mr Schipp), a sentenced prisoner at Bunbury Regional Prison (BRP), was diagnosed with carcinoma of the oesophagus. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and scans showed a metabolic response. However, in January 2024 he was diagnosed with a recurrence of the carcinoma and palliative chemotherapy was commenced.
On 23 May 2024, Mr Schipp was in his allocated unit within the BRP’s Pre-Release Unit (PRU) when he began to vomit blood. A prison officer spoke to Mr Schipp before calling for medical attention. A nurse attended from the main area of the prison and assessed Mr Schipp. He was taken by ambulance to Bunbury Regional Hospital. Following assessment, Mr Schipp was provided palliative care and at about 5.40am on 24 May, Mr Schipp lost consciousness, and he was pronounced deceased.
A forensic pathologist concluded that Mr Schipp died from complications of oesophageal cancer, with terminal palliative care.
The coroner held a mandatory inquest, accepting the cause of death identified by the forensic pathologist, and determining the Mr Schipp died of natural causes.
The coroner considered an issue about the timing of any response by medical staff to an emergency in the PRU, given the physical layout of the BRP, and concerns raised by Mr Schipp’s family about the emergency response and his access to identified treatment and care.
The coroner determined that the supervision, treatment, and care provided to Mr Schipp by the Department during his imprisonment was satisfactory, including in relation to his medical care.
Catch Words : Death in Custody : Management of medical issues : Supervision Treatment and Care : Natural Causes
Last updated: 5 December 2025