Inquest into the death of Liselle HOUBERT

23y · Female·Multiple injuries received in a deliberate motor vehicle collision

Liselle Houbert, 23, died in a deliberate head-on motor vehicle collision caused by her partner Joshua Booth on 28 May 2020. Booth had been experiencing significant mental health issues including depression, PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder. He had been prescribed multiple antidepressants with poor compliance. Two days before the collision, his doctor ceased medication due to side effects with a planned three-day washout period before commencing new medication. Booth showed no overt suicidal ideation at that final consultation. On the day of death, Liselle was messaging Booth's bandmates to confront them about their behaviour towards him, which appeared to escalate his distress. The coroner concluded Booth deliberately caused the collision while in a distressed and desperate state, resulting in instant death of both occupants. Liselle was an unwilling participant with no history of suicidal ideation. The case highlights risks associated with medication washout periods during mental health crises and the importance of close monitoring during psychiatric treatment transitions.