Inquest into the Death of Scott Andrew BLANCHARD
Deceased
Scott Andrew BLANCHARD
Demographics
45y, male
Date of death
2015-07-24
Finding date
2018-09-20
Cause of death
Gunshot injury to the chest (self-inflicted)
AI-generated summary
Scott Andrew Blanchard, a 45-year-old Detective Sergeant with the Western Australian Police Gang Crime Squad, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while on duty near Kalgoorlie. In June 2015, following a trip to Thailand, he developed anxiety and health concerns related to an undiagnosed medical condition despite negative investigations. He declined medication and became preoccupied with the possibility of serious illness. In the weeks prior to his death, he appeared withdrawn but not obviously suicidal to colleagues or family. He shot himself with his service firearm at approximately 4:45 PM on 24 July 2015. The coroner found he had formed suicidal intent by June 2015 and chose the time and location deliberately to shield his family. The case highlights the importance of ensuring police families are aware of confidential mental health services, and reducing stigma associated with psychological support access in law enforcement.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Health anxiety and preoccupation with undiagnosed medical condition
- Insomnia and anxiety following travel to Thailand
- Refusal of offered anxiety medication
- Gradual social withdrawal in weeks prior to death
- Possible delusional thinking about medical concerns
- Lack of awareness or access to confidential family mental health services
- Perceived stigma in police culture regarding psychological support
- Family unaware of available Health and Welfare Division services
Coroner's recommendations
- WA Police Health and Welfare Division use the police intranet to emphasise to serving members that their families should be made aware of the availability of its services
- Development of a family internet would be beneficial provided there was a way to ensure families were made aware of available services
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