Inquest into the death of JBO

27y · Female·Cardiac arrhythmia (first confirmed as ventricular fibrillation) of unascertained cause

A 27-year-old Aboriginal woman suffered sudden cardiac arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation) immediately after recording video evidence of a suspected breach of her protective apprehended personal violence order (APVO). She had been assaulted 5 days prior, experiencing significant psychological trauma, anxiety, and hypervigilance whilst awaiting legal protection. She collapsed whilst documenting the alleged breach in video, suffered cardiac arrest, and could not be resuscitated despite 65 minutes of high-quality CPR. Autopsy revealed no structural abnormalities. Experts unanimously opined fatal arrhythmia was triggered by severe emotional/psychological stress superimposed on underlying cardiac predisposition (likely channelopathy such as long QT or Brugada syndrome). Clinical lessons: psychological trauma following violent assault carries serious physiological consequences requiring comprehensive mental health support; protection order enforcement must be coordinated to prevent re-traumatisation; recognition of stress-induced arrhythmia syndromes is critical in young people with unexplained collapse.