Inquest into the Death of Tony RUICH
Inquest into the Death of Tony RUICH
Delivered on : 8 May 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Urquhart
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : N/A
Summary : On 10 January 2024, Tony Ruich, (Mr Ruich) died at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) from decompensated liver failure arising from metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, and after receiving terminal palliative care. He was 55 years old.
At the time of his death, Mr Ruich was a sentenced prisoner in the care of the CEO of the Department of Justice (the Department). As he was a person held in care, his death was subject to a mandatory inquest.
Mr Ruich had been in custody since 2019 and was not eligible for release on parole until June 2027. Prior to this term of imprisonment, he had already been diagnosed with serious health conditions that included chronic hepatitis C, spinal spondylosis and cirrhosis of the liver. During his final imprisonment, Mr Ruich was further diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, pulmonary embolism, ascites associated with his cirrhosis and finally, in November 2023, hepatocellular carcinoma. Given his decompensated liver failure that had arisen from the hepatocellular carcinoma , Mr Ruich was not deemed suitable for active treatment and a decision was made by treating specialists that he would receive palliative care only, when required.
Following his diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, Mr Ruich was transferred form Wooroloo Prison Farm (Wooroloo) to Casuarina Prison (Casuarina) so he could have ready access to the infirmary at Casuarina.
On 9 January 2024, following a worsening of his ascites, Mr Ruich was taken to FSH where he was admitted. Due to the advanced stage of his decompensated liver failure, it was diagnosed that Mr Ruich’s death was imminent. He was subsequently provided with palliative care before he died on the night of 10 January 2024.
The coroner was satisfied that in the months before Mr Ruich’s death, the supervision, treatment and care provided to him by the Department at Wooroloo and Casuarina was appropriate. The coroner was also satisfied that the treatment and care provided to Mr Ruich at FSH was appropriate.
Catch Words : Death in Custody : Supervision, Treatment and Care : Natural Causes
Last updated: 23 May 2025