Finding into death of Sharon Maree Harris

63y · Female·Aspiration pneumonia in a woman with seizure disorder, Down syndrome, dementia and normal pressure hydrocephalus

Sharon Harris, 63, died from aspiration pneumonia complicated by seizure disorder, Down syndrome, dementia, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. She was in specialist disability accommodation in Colac. In the months before death, she experienced multiple seizures and functional decline. On 2 October, she was found post-ictal with respiratory distress and transferred to urgent care where she received CPR. Imaging showed worsening hydrocephalus. She had a further seizure with persistent hypoxia and was subsequently palliated. The coroner found no preventable factors or adverse findings. This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals with multiple neurological conditions, severe intellectual disability, and recurrent aspiration risk. Proactive aspiration precautions, seizure management optimization, and early palliative discussion may have been beneficial.