Inquest into the death of Jeffrey Ellington

32y · Male·Subarachnoid haemorrhage due to ruptured cerebral aneurysm

Jeffrey Ellington, a 32-year-old Aboriginal male inmate, died suddenly from subarachnoid haemorrhage due to ruptured cerebral aneurysm while performing work duties at Long Bay Correctional Complex on 21 August 2020. Expert evidence confirmed the aneurysm rupture was entirely unpredictable – he was asymptomatic with only non-specific headaches in his history that had no clinical indication for neuroimaging investigation. His headache complaints were not accompanied by classical symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage (nausea, vomiting, collapse). Resuscitation efforts were prompt and appropriate. The coroner concluded there was no opportunity for prevention and no failure in medical care or custodial management. This case emphasises that unruptured cerebral aneurysms cannot be diagnosed without clinical suspicion and that sudden aneurysm rupture commonly occurs in asymptomatic individuals in the community.