Finding into death of XY XY

16y · Male·Gunshot wound to the head

A 16-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder and history of self-harm died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had attended Headspace for mental health support and seen a GP who identified previous suicidal ideation but no active plans at that time. In the weeks before death, he disclosed suicidal thoughts and specific intent to use his father's firearm to peers via social media, but explicitly asked them not to tell adults. His parents remained unaware of these communications and his escalating suicidality. A firearm was stored unsecured in the home. The coroner found the death may have been preventable had peers reported his explicit suicidal communications to adults, and had the firearm been properly secured or removed from the home.