Casey, Lenard John

39y · Male·Coronary thrombosis caused by coronary atherosclerosis

Lenard Casey, a 39-year-old Aboriginal man with severe coronary artery disease, died of acute coronary thrombosis while in custody. Arrested for assault on his partner, he developed chest pain at the police station and was admitted to Normanton Hospital with acute coronary syndrome. During attempted medical evacuation by aircraft to Mount Isa, he became violently agitated despite sedation with diazepam and haloperidol. The pilot refused to transport him on safety grounds, and he was returned to hospital. He subsequently collapsed and died despite resuscitation attempts. Autopsy revealed multiple coronary artery thromboses with severe atherosclerosis. The coroner found his death was not preventable given his long-standing refusal of surgery, non-compliance with medication, heavy alcohol use, smoking, and lack of lifestyle changes, despite numerous prior admissions and repeated medical advice over many years.