Inquest into the death of Sarah Johnson
Deceased
Sarah Johnson
Demographics
33y, female
Date of death
2002-01-01
Finding date
2004-02-10
Cause of death
Drowning contributed to by high level of intoxication (blood alcohol 0.192%)
AI-generated summary
Sarah Johnson, 33-year-old Aboriginal woman, was found dead on Lameroo Beach on 1 January 2002 after drowning. She had a blood alcohol level of 0.192% and was intoxicated. Evidence indicates she was at the Hippe Club on New Year's Eve with her estranged de facto partner David Dixon, who had a history of violent assault against her. A witness, Kumar Selvaratnam, credibly identified Dixon with Johnson at the beach around 4:30am swimming together. DNA evidence from fingernails and cigarette butts confirmed Dixon was present. Another witness, Cynthia Baird, reported seeing Johnson being forcibly taken from the club by Dixon and Rodney Taylor. The coroner found Johnston died from drowning contributed to by intoxication but could not definitively establish whether another person caused or contributed to her death. The case demonstrates the importance of recognising intimate partner violence patterns and the vulnerability of intoxicated individuals to harm.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- alcohol intoxication
- possible assault prior to drowning
- possible presence of another person at time of death
- stab wounds inflicted while deceased was alive
- vulnerable state due to intoxication
Coroner's recommendations
- Referral of transcript and findings to Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions pursuant to section 35(3) of the Coroners Act for investigation of possible homicide
Full text
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