Inquest into the Death of Tania Marie HODGKINSON

48y · Female·Ligature compression of the neck (hanging)

Tania Marie Hodgkinson, a 48-year-old Aboriginal woman, died by suicide via ligature compression while remanded at Bandyup Women's Prison on 23 March 2017. She had been admitted with heroin withdrawal symptoms, grief from her partner's recent drug-related death, and initial self-harm ideation, but her mental state appeared to improve gradually. She received regular psychological counselling and was on appropriate monitoring systems (SAMS). Key clinical lessons include: (1) the importance of documenting mental state changes after significant stressors like police interviews about a partner's death; (2) recognising that anticipated hope (early release) coupled with loss of that hope (criminal charges) can precipitate suicide; (3) the value of supportive systems, which functioned well but could not prevent an impulsive act. The coroner found her death was not preventable despite reasonable care, though earlier employment/engagement and improved family visitation facilities might have provided additional protective factors.