Coronial
WAcommunity

Inquest into the Deaths of Terry James CZERNOWSKI and Lachlan Richard Francis BOWLES

Deceased

Terry James CZERNOWSKI and Lachlan Richard Francis BOWLES

Demographics

male

Coroner

Coroner Jenkin

Date of death

2023-09-07

Finding date

2026-03-30

Cause of death

Terry: gunshot injuries to the head and chest (homicide). Lachlan: self-inflicted gunshot injury to the head (suicide)

AI-generated summary

On 7 September 2023, Lachlan Bowles (age 25) fatally shot his workmate Terry Czernowski (age 44) at Moylan Grain Silos in Kellerberrin, Western Australia without apparent provocation. Terry died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Lachlan subsequently took his own life by shooting himself in the head during negotiations with police. The coroner found no fault with police actions, determining that negotiators performed highly skillfully and tactical operators appropriately deployed less-lethal force. The primary clinical lesson concerns recognition and support of severe undiagnosed mental health conditions, particularly in individuals who have experienced cumulative rejections (military, police recruitment) and progressive depression with suicidal ideation. The coroner recommended WA Police enhance mental health training for negotiators and explore feasibility of mental health specialist support during complex incidents. Key clinical factors included likely undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, severe depression, anxiety, and depressive cognitions of self-loathing.

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

Specialties

psychiatryemergency medicineforensic medicine

Error types

system

Contributing factors

  • Lachlan had likely undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder
  • Lachlan was severely depressed by September 2023
  • Lachlan experienced high levels of anxiety
  • Lachlan had depressive cognitions of being evil and harmful
  • Lachlan had suicidal ideation
  • Rejection by Australian Defence Force in 2018
  • Rejection by WA Police recruitment in 2022
  • Lachlan expressed long-standing but undisclosed desire to kill
  • Possible impaired judgment due to severe depression
  • Loss of religious faith combined with mental health deterioration
  • Traumatic experiences with volunteer paramedic work

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Western Australian Police Force should liaison with suitably qualified mental health clinicians to determine what mental health training should be delivered to TRG negotiators, in addition to Gatekeeper and Lifeline training courses
  2. Determine whether mental health specialists could feasibly provide remote or command post advisory support to negotiators during complex incidents including those involving mental health issues
  3. WA Police to develop ongoing mental health awareness sessions for negotiators on a quarterly basis as part of the Negotiator's Unit's monthly training program
  4. Explore options by which mental health specialists may support TRG negotiators responding to complex situations, especially those involving mental health issues
Full text
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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.

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