Finding into death of Vili Kovac

88y · Male·Sepsis of unknown aetiology in a man with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and other medical comorbidities

An 88-year-old man incarcerated at Hopkins Correctional Centre died from sepsis of unknown aetiology with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. He developed pneumonia while in custody, was admitted to Ararat Hospital twice in late June and early July 2021 with cardiac and infectious complications, then transferred to St Vincent's Hospital on 7 July. Despite antibiotic therapy and supportive care, he deteriorated with delirium, acute kidney injury, and liver dysfunction. He was deemed unsuitable for CPR or intubation. He died suddenly on 9 July 2021. The coroner found no causal connection between his death and incarceration, and no evidence of negligence in his medical management. The clinical course reflects appropriate initial assessment and treatment, though the sepsis source remained unidentified.