Inquest into the death of Richard Willett

86y · Male·Complication of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma

Richard Willett, 86-year-old prisoner, died from complications of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma while in NSW Corrective Services custody. He was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer with liver and lymph node metastasis in May 2017 and received appropriate oncology care at Prince of Wales Hospital, including stent placement and chemotherapy. Treatment was discontinued in September 2017 due to toxicity, and end-of-life care commenced in June 2018. The coroner found no issues with medical care provided during custody. The case demonstrates appropriate management of advanced malignancy in a custodial setting, with timely specialist referral, palliative care involvement, and comfort-focused end-of-life planning. This death represents a natural outcome of advanced metastatic cancer despite appropriate clinical intervention.