Inquest into the Death of Keannita Samson

Delivered on 27 June 2014 at Perth.

Finding of Deputy State Coroner.

Suppression Order

No publication of the names of the other children involved in this matter.

Summary

The deceased was a 13 year old girl who at the time of her death was a passenger in a stolen sedan being driven in a south easterly direction on the Great Northern Highway, Port Hedland. The vehicle had been the target of an authorised police pursuit.

The inquest was a mandatory inquest to examine the actions of the police and focused on the difficulties of appropriate risk assessment when not in receipt of relevant risk factors despite compliance with all policies and procedures from a law enforcement perspective.

The Coroner found the deceased died on 7 February 2010 from chest and head injuries and that death occurred by way of an unlawful homicide.

Catch Words

Stolen vehicle : police pursuit : minors : unlawful homicide.


Last updated: 15-Jul-2022

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