Inquest into the death of Roberto Laudisio CURTI

21y · Male·undetermined causes, in the course of being restrained by members of the NSW Police Force

Roberto Laudisio Curti, a 21-year-old Brazilian, died on 18 March 2012 during police restraint in Sydney after consuming LSD which induced a psychotic state. After a convenience store incident was misclassified as an armed robbery, multiple police officers pursued and restrained him using Tasers (at least 7 drive stuns), OC spray (3 cans), and body weight while he was on the ground and handcuffed. Medical experts found no single cause of death but agreed his death was not coincidental. The coroner found the police use of force was excessive, reckless and abusive, particularly after he was restrained. Key clinical lessons include: recognising drug-induced psychosis requiring de-escalation not force; understanding positional asphyxia risks when multiple officers restrain prone individuals; avoiding multiple Taser applications to handcuffed persons; and implementing communication protocols for mental health presentations to police.