Coronial
QLDcommunity

Inquest into the death of Damon Paul William Savage

Deceased

Damon Paul William Savage

Demographics

27y, male

Coroner

Ryan

Date of death

2020-08-27

Finding date

2024-11-04

Cause of death

Multiple gunshot wounds

AI-generated summary

Damon Savage, 27, died from multiple gunshot wounds during a police response to a domestic violence incident. He had called police while assaulting his partner, armed himself with two large knives, advanced towards officers despite commands to drop the weapon, and was shot after a Taser proved ineffective. He had a documented history of ICE dependence, depression, suicidal ideation, anger management issues, and recent domestic violence. Mental health services had assessed him multiple times with recommendations for ongoing support, which he declined or disengaged from. Critical clinical lessons include: early identification of escalating mental health crises with substance use; importance of comprehensive follow-up after acute psychiatric presentations; risk assessment in the context of polysubstance use, alcohol, and prescription medications; and the need for integrated care coordination between mental health, addiction services, and primary care when patients have documented non-engagement with treatment.

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

Specialties

psychiatryemergency medicineaddiction medicinegeneral practicecorrectional health

Error types

communicationsystemdelay

Drugs involved

methamphetaminecannabisdiazepamalprazolametizolamalprazolamnitrous oxidecocainealcoholduloxetinedoxylamine

Clinical conditions

opioid/stimulant use disorder (ice dependence)cannabis use disordermajor depressionsuicidal ideationacute intoxication (alcohol and benzodiazepines)substance withdrawal (ice and cannabis)anger dyscontroldomestic violence (perpetrator)possible psychotic features (voices during cravings)

Contributing factors

  • ICE (crystal methamphetamine) dependence and withdrawal
  • depression and suicidal ideation
  • alcohol intoxication at time of death
  • cannabis use
  • benzodiazepine use (Alprazolam, Etizolam, Valium)
  • recent detoxification from ICE and cannabis
  • anger management difficulties
  • domestic violence and relationship breakdown
  • disengagement from mental health and addiction services
  • lack of coordination between mental health, addiction, and primary care services
  • incomplete implementation of discharge recommendations from mental health assessment
  • escalating crisis not appropriately managed in community setting

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Court noted evidence of improved police training in 'Behavioural Influence Stairway Model' of de-escalation over the past five years and optimised outcomes in QPS responses
  2. Court acknowledged evaluation of new Taser 10 technology with greater range and multiple discharge capability as potential improvement for future similar confrontations
  3. Court endorsed the family's submission that before using lethal or other force, all officers in high-risk confrontations should plan responses, gather all relevant information, and consider alternatives in accordance with Human Rights Act, OPMs, and objective of preserving human life, particularly given increasing frequency of high-risk police attendances
Full text
Official source Archived copy

Related cases from QLD

QLDhome2026-04-21

Inquest into the deaths of F and M

33y · Male·Extensive burns sustained when former partner deliberately splashed petrol on hi…

F and M, two parents involved in family law proceedings over their three children, both died in a house fire in March 2022. F (aged 33) died from extensive burns after M (aged 31) deliberately splashed him with petrol an…

psychiatrypaediatricsdiagnosticsystem
QLDhome2026-02-11

Inquest into the death of FSGT

50y · Male·Gunshot wound to the head

A 50-year-old RAAF Flight Sergeant with Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after police responded to a domestic disturbance. He had received appropriate, evidence-b…

general practicepsychologysystemcommunicationamitriptyline
QLDmental health2026-01-29

Inquest into the death of Tiesha Marie Derbyshire

18y · Female·Mixed drug toxicity

Tiesha Marie Derbyshire, an 18-year-old with complex mental health conditions including eating disorder, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder, died from mixed drug toxicity after intentionally overdosing on proprano…

psychiatrygeneral practicecommunicationsystempropranolol

Source and disclaimer

This page reproduces or summarises information from publicly available findings published by Australian coroners' courts. Coronial is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any coronial court or government body.

Content may be incomplete, reformatted, or summarised. Some material may have been redacted or restricted by court order or privacy requirements. Always refer to the original court publication for the authoritative record.

Copyright in original materials remains with the relevant government jurisdiction. AI-generated summaries and tagging are for educational purposes only, may contain inaccuracies, and must not be treated as legal documents. We welcome feedback for correction — report an inaccuracy here.