Deceased
Sarah Jane Rutherford
Demographics
28y, female
Date of death
2009-12-27
Finding date
2014-04-11
Cause of death
multiple injuries from deliberate fall from pedestrian bridge onto Mitchell Freeway
AI-generated summary
Sarah Jane Rutherford, a 28-year-old woman with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia, died on 27 December 2009 after falling from a pedestrian bridge onto the Mitchell Freeway in Perth. She was an involuntary patient at Graylands Hospital at the time, admitted on 3 December 2009 following a relapse triggered by non-compliance with antipsychotic medication. After initial stabilisation on a secure ward with 30-minute observations, she progressed to an open rehabilitation ward and was granted overnight and weekend leave. During weekend leave her mental state deteriorated, but she denied suicidal ideation at her 23 December review and was discharged home on a 7-day prescription for risperidone. She left home early on 27 December and fell from the bridge approximately 11pm on 26 December. Evidence suggests she had not taken her medication for at least one day before death, possibly contributing to suicidality. The coroner found the quality of treatment and care at Graylands was reasonable and appropriate, and concluded the manner of death was suicide.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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