Finding into death of Lee Andrew Kennedy

40y · Male·Haemorrhage from gunshot wound to chest

Lee Andrew Kennedy, a 40-year-old man with a history of mood instability, migraines, and medical treatment through a GP and psychiatrist, died from a gunshot wound to the chest inflicted by Constable Erin Levay during a police response to his home. Mr Kennedy had been treated for presumed hypomania/bipolar disorder with lithium and later antidepressants by his GP. A psychiatrist at mental health services assessed him briefly (1 hour), disagreed with the bipolar diagnosis, and recommended cessation of mood-stabilizing and antidepressant medications. Mr Kennedy did not return for follow-up with his GP after medication changes were made. He was experiencing significant personal stressors: his brother's recent suicide, marital problems, and impending separation. On the day of death, Mr Kennedy called police reporting a fictitious customer refusing to leave his wife's massage business. When police entered, he ambushed them with an air pistol (appearing real), held an officer hostage, and attempted to disarm her. Police defended themselves. The coroner found no adverse findings against the police or medical practitioners. Key clinical lessons include the importance of psychiatric follow-up after medication changes, communication between GP and specialist services, and the challenges of managing patients with complex psychiatric presentations in primary care.