Coroner's Court of Western Australia

Inquest into the Death of Peter Philip HUMES

Delivered on - 12 September 2014

Delivered at - Perth

Finding of - S H Linton, Coroner

Recommendations - N/A

Orders/Rules - N/A

Suppression Order - N/A

Summary - The deceased was a 38 year old Aboriginal man at the time of his death.  The deceased died on the evening of 23 November to 24 November 2010 at Hakea Prison.  At the time of his death the deceased was a remand prisoner.  As the deceased was held in care immediately before his death an inquest was required to be held.  Under s.25(3) of the Coroners Act 1996 where a death is investigated by a coroner the coroner must comment on the quality of the supervision, treatment and care of the person while in that care.

The inquest focussed primarily on the admission of the deceased into prison and the assessment of his risk of self-harm, as well as the events of 23-24 November 2010.  In addition, evidence was given about the steps taken by the Department of Corrective Services to minimise the risk of suicide by hanging in the prison environment since the deceased’s death.

The Coroner found that the deceased died in circumstances consistent with ligature compression of the neck (hanging) and that death arose by way of Suicide.

Catch Words - Death in Custody – Ligature Compression of the Neck (Hanging) - Suicide

 


Last updated: 19-Jan-2024

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