Inquest into the Suspected Death of Guido MICHEL

54y · Male·unascertained cause

Guido Michel, a 54-year-old electrician with longstanding mental health issues including depression, ADHD, and previous suicide attempts, disappeared in late January 2022 after entering State Forest near Flint, WA with camping equipment and apparent intention to fast. He had experienced multiple significant stressors: loss of job and failed unfair dismissal claim, inability to see his children in Spain due to COVID-19 restrictions and financial constraints, credit card debt (~$30,000) with bankruptcy concerns, withdrawal from university psychology course, and recent cessation of contact with his clinical psychologist and GP. His psychologist had documented impulsivity, poor distress tolerance, and noted his children were his only protective factor. The coroner found Guido deceased (likely within days given extreme heat of 40.9°C and lack of water) from unascertained cause, with open manner finding. Clinical lessons: mental health patients with previous self-harm, those experiencing multiple concurrent stressors, and those ceasing engagement with regular psychological care require proactive follow-up and crisis intervention. Early recognition of loss of protective factors (children contact) and escalation to crisis services might have prevented this tragedy.