Coronial
NSWcommunity

Inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of XA

Deceased

XA

Demographics

36y, male

Coroner

Decision ofDeputy State Coroner O'Neil

Date of death

2023-01-25

Finding date

2023-12-14

Cause of death

Unascertained

AI-generated summary

A 36-year-old male psychiatrist disappeared on 25 January 2023 and is presumed deceased. He had treatment-resistant depression, was in significant pain from a recent back injury, and was prescribed opioids (Lyrica, Endone, Oxycodone). On the morning of disappearance, he appeared sad and mentioned work issues via email. His vehicle was found at North Head, Manly; no body was recovered. The coroner found he likely died shortly after leaving his car, possibly by suicide given his depressive state, work stress, chronic pain, and recent deep exploration of traumatic past events in therapy. No specific cause of death could be determined. The case highlights the risk of depression in high-stress medical careers and the challenge of workplace management of doctors with known mental health conditions.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

psychiatrygeneral practiceneurosurgery

Drugs involved

pregabalinoxycodoneoxycodone

Clinical conditions

treatment-resistant major depressionavoidant personality traitsacute back painanxietydepressionemotional sequelae of developmental trauma

Contributing factors

  • Treatment-resistant major depression
  • Significant acute back pain from recent injury
  • Prescribed opioid medications (Oxycodone, Endone, Lyrica)
  • Work-related stress and difficulty in current psychiatric role
  • Unspecified work issue via email on morning of disappearance
  • Unresolved traumatic past events including brother's death
  • Upcoming spinal surgery
  • Employer knowledge of mental health diagnosis despite privacy concerns
  • Possible mood change from happy (24 Jan) to sad (25 Jan)
Full text

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