Finding into death of Stephen James Johnston

57y · Male·Complications of multiple blunt force injuries in a man with ischaemic heart disease and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, with contributing factor of hypothermia

Stephen Johnston, a 57-year-old man with ischaemic heart disease, obesity, depression and alcohol dependence, was assaulted on 7 December 2016 by Kevin Knowles and Amanda Bourke after an evening of drinking. Johnston suffered 101 documented blunt force injuries including significant head trauma with skull fracture. The assailants left the scene and did not seek emergency care for Johnston until after 11am the next day, during which time he developed hypothermia. He died from complications of multiple blunt force injuries combined with hypothermia and pre-existing conditions. This case demonstrates the critical importance of recognising when patients have suffered assault rather than falls, ensuring early emergency response, and the devastating consequences of delayed medical care in trauma victims.