Finding into death of Jimmy Delcus

56y · Male·Aspiration of food bolus

Jimmy Delcus, a 56-year-old man with autism, intellectual disability and schizoaffective disorder, died from aspiration of a food bolus while eating lunch in a park. He was receiving supported living services through Aruma under the NDIS and living in specialist disability accommodation. Although he had a behavioural support plan addressing rapid eating and food-grabbing behaviours, and his carer had appropriately cut food into small pieces and instructed him to eat slowly, he unexpectedly stood and ran whilst eating. The coroner found the death was a tragic accident that was not foreseeable and could not have been prevented. No issues were identified with the care provided. The case highlights the challenges of managing aspiration risk in vulnerable populations with behavioural and developmental disabilities despite appropriate precautions and supervision.