Coronial
WAmental health

Inquest into the Death of Wendy Anne Eadie

Deceased

Wendy Anne Eadie

Demographics

29y, female

Date of death

1998-11-01

Finding date

2000-08-18

Cause of death

asphyxiation due to ligature compression of the neck (hanging)

AI-generated summary

Wendy Anne Eadie, 29, died by suicide in Graylands Hospital's Frankland Centre on 1 November 1998 while detained following charges of unlawful wounding against her parents. She had a longstanding history of depression, chronic low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation dating back 15 years. Following arrest in August 1998, she was admitted for psychiatric assessment and received treatment including antidepressants and psychotherapy. Her clinical condition improved significantly by late October, with plans being developed for potential bail. However, on the morning of 1 November 1998, she was found hanging in her bathroom using a makeshift ligature fashioned from materials in her room. The coroner found supervision and care adequate but made recommendations regarding communication between police and psychiatrists when charges are varied against hospital inpatients, and about maintaining up-to-date medical file information.

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

Specialties

psychiatryforensic medicinegeneral practice

Error types

communicationsystem

Drugs involved

paroxetinevenlafaxineserzonenefazadonebenzodiazepinesmelleril

Clinical conditions

adjustment disorder with depressed moodavoidant personality disorderchronic depressionsuicidal ideationdysthymia

Contributing factors

  • chronic depressive illness
  • long-standing suicidal ideation
  • avoidant personality traits with schizoid features
  • social isolation and unemployment
  • guilt and remorse regarding offences against parents
  • uncertainty about legal outcome and imprisonment
  • access to materials suitable for ligature
  • inadequate supervision of room and bathroom access

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Police officers be required to consult the treating psychiatrist or another psychiatrist of equal experience before charges are varied against a person who is an inpatient of an approved hospital or is or has been held in an observation cell within a prison
  2. Up to date information be kept on a person's medical file who is an inpatient of an approved hospital or is or has been held in an observation cell within a prison concerning what charges have been laid against the person or are proposed to be laid against a person
  3. Where the handwriting and or signature of a medical practitioner and/or health professional is not readily legible that the author of the document be required to signify his or her name by rubber stamp impression or similar means
Full text
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Source and disclaimer

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