Inquest into the Death of Kevin Leslie Charles Bellchambers
Deceased
Kevin Leslie Charles Bellchambers
Demographics
31y, male
Date of death
2003-03-01
Finding date
2005-07
Cause of death
Gunshot wound to the head
AI-generated summary
Kevin Leslie Charles Bellchambers, aged 31, died on 1 March 2003 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. After committing an armed robbery at a service station in Busselton, he and his female companion fled in a stolen vehicle pursued by police. During the pursuit, he pointed the rifle at the pursuing officer. When the vehicle crashed into a ditch near Cowaramup, the deceased shot himself in the head rather than be apprehended. The coroner found the death was by suicide. The deceased had a long history of drug abuse, was on parole with bail conditions, had attempted suicide by heroin overdose days earlier, and had not eaten for several days. He was exhausted, hungry, possibly withdrawing from drugs, and became increasingly desperate during the police pursuit. The coroner found the pursuing police officers acted appropriately and did not contribute to the death.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Drug withdrawal
- Hunger and exhaustion
- Recent failed suicide attempt
- Desperation during police pursuit
- Parole breach and failed trial appearance
- Underlying drug addiction and criminal history
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