Inquest into the deaths of Noah and Wayne Smith

Male·Gunshot wounds to the head

This inquest examined deaths of Noah Smith (15) and Wayne Smith (58) on 1 June 2023. Wayne had 20-year history of chronic depression and suicidal ideation, including severe crisis in May 2020 with suicide plans. He recovered with antidepressants and lithium, but his firearms licence was reinstated in October 2022 after reports containing incomplete information: Dr H.'s certificate falsely stated 'completely stable for 5 years', omitting May 2020 crisis; Dr H. assessed him without full knowledge of prior suicidal behaviour. After Noah's boating injury (September 2022), Wayne stopped medications. His mental health deteriorated by May 2023; Dr C. restarted treatment but couldn't escalate to acute services due to rural resource limits. On 1 June 2023, Wayne shot Noah then himself. The coroner found major failings in: inadequate record-keeping and inaccurate certification; incomplete assessment by Dr H.; inadequate scrutiny by Firearms Registry. Seven recommendations address firearms licensing reform and mandatory health practitioner involvement in firearm safety.