Coronial
VICother

Finding into death of John Stuart Richards

Deceased

John Stuart Richards

Demographics

81y, male

Coroner

State Coroner Judge John Cain

Date of death

2024-09-13

Finding date

2025-04-04

Cause of death

Lung cancer

AI-generated summary

An 81-year-old man with advanced lung cancer and multiple comorbidities died of natural causes while receiving palliative care in prison. He had documented his wishes for comfort-focused care and was registered on the DNR list prior to death. Medical review occurred appropriately in the days before death, with pain management prescribed and advance directives completed. Clinical staff identified signs of deterioration and death occurred peacefully without distress. The coroner found no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement. This case illustrates appropriate end-of-life care planning and symptom management in a custodial setting, with timely documentation of patient preferences and respect for autonomy in the final days.

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

Specialties

palliative caregeneral practicerespiratory medicine

Clinical conditions

lung cancermetastatic cancer of unknown originchronic obstructive pulmonary diseasetype 2 diabeteschronic kidney diseaseatrial fibrillationischaemic heart diseasevascular dementiacerebrovascular accident

Contributing factors

  • advanced metastatic cancer
  • COPD
  • chronic kidney disease
  • prior cerebrovascular accident
  • ischaemic heart disease
Full text

Source and disclaimer

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