Finding into death of Glykeria Skalistis
Deceased
Glykeria Skalistis
Demographics
70y, female
Date of death
2019-08-29
Finding date
2024-11-11
Cause of death
drowning (likely), but ultimately undetermined cause
AI-generated summary
Glykeria Skalistis, aged 70, disappeared on 29-30 August 2019 and is presumed to have drowned at Schnapper Point beach. She had a long history of schizophrenia and depression, managed with antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. For six months prior to her death she had ceased taking these medications, though family noted she appeared well. However, in the two weeks before her disappearance, subtle mood changes were noted and she began visiting beaches alone—unusual behaviour. She presented to emergency on 6 May 2019 after swimming alone in underwear; ECATT assessed her as low risk despite medication non-compliance. Her car was found at Schnapper Point carpark with her clothing, phone, and handwritten notes including the Lord's Prayer nearby. No body was recovered. The coroner found she likely entered the water with impaired judgment from relapse of mental illness rather than with suicidal intent. Clinical lessons include: recognising early relapse signs in mental health patients; escalating concern when high-risk individuals resume unusual behaviours; ensuring adequate follow-up after emergency mental health assessments; and monitoring medication adherence in vulnerable patients.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- non-compliance with antipsychotic and antidepressant medications for six months
- relapse of schizophrenia and depression with impaired judgment
- subtle mood changes and unusual behaviour (visiting beaches alone) not acted upon
- low-risk assessment at emergency department despite medication non-compliance and recent concerning behaviour
- inadequate follow-up after ECATT assessment
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