Finding into death of Andre Alistair Hei
Deceased
Andre Alistair Hei
Demographics
44y, male
Date of death
2025-03-11
Finding date
2026-07-23
Cause of death
Neck compression; Hanging
AI-generated summary
Andre Alistair Hei, a 44-year-old Māori man, died by suicide via hanging on 11 March 2025 at Fitzroy Town Hall. He had a complex psychiatric history including depression, complex PTSD, methamphetamine use disorder, and chronic suicidal ideation. He presented frequently to Victorian emergency departments while intoxicated or following suicide attempts. Three days before his death, he was talked down from a 30-metre ledge at Southern Cross Station and admitted to Royal Melbourne Hospital. The coroner found this clinical care appropriate and compassionate. However, referral to Homeless Outreach Mental Health Support could not be actioned due to service capacity constraints. Andre experienced chronic homelessness, financial hardship, and relationship difficulties. The coroner concluded he intentionally ended his life impulsively amid these compounding stressors and polysubstance use. The finding emphasizes systemic barriers affecting homeless people with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders, directing the Departments of Health and Families, Fairness and Housing to use it to inform policy and funding initiatives.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Chronic psychosocial stressors
- Polysubstance use (methylamphetamine and cannabis)
- Chronic homelessness
- Financial hardship
- Relationship difficulties and family violence history
- Chronic suicidal ideation
- Housing instability and inability to sustain service engagement
- Capacity limitations in mental health and housing services
Coroner's recommendations
- Copy of finding provided to Victorian Department of Health and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to inform policy, funding and future initiatives targeted towards people experiencing homelessness who are in need of intensive mental health supports
Full text
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