Deceased
Valerie Wurramurra
Demographics
36y, female
Date of death
2002-04-13
Finding date
2004-12-20
Cause of death
drowning caused by self-inhalation of vomit
AI-generated summary
Valerie Wurramurra, a 36-year-old Aboriginal woman, drowned after inhaling vomit following head injuries sustained in a boat accident on 13 April 2002 between Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island. The coroner made an open finding regarding how she entered the water. Critical clinical and investigative issues included: (1) Constable De Nale's inadequate response to her domestic violence disclosure the day before her death—he failed to properly document her complaint on PROMIS or recognize the risk, contrary to Police General Orders; (2) the decision not to call experienced CIB detectives immediately, delaying thorough investigation; (3) failure to promptly re-interview the husband while his account was fresh. The coroner found no evidence of deliberate involvement by her husband but criticised De Nale's handling of the domestic violence complaint and the initial police investigative approach.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
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