Inquest into the Death of Jessica Mary Dewhurst

20y · Female·Ligature compression of the neck

Jessica Mary Dewhurst, aged 20, died by ligature compression of the neck on 27 May 2003 in the secure ward of Swan Adult Mental Health Services. She had a history of depression, psychosis, substance abuse, and prior suicide attempts following traumatic relationships. She was admitted involuntarily under the Mental Health Act on 3 May 2003 and placed in a secure ward after absconding on 25 May to spend time with her boyfriend. At 12:40am on 27 May, she was found hanging from a shower tap in her en-suite using a cloth sash. The coroner found her death was by suicide, likely impulsive rather than planned, and that supervision, treatment and care were adequate given the inherent tension between safe and therapeutic environments in mental health facilities.