Inquest into the death of Sarah Johnson

33y · Female·Drowning contributed to by high level of intoxication (blood alcohol 0.192%)

Sarah Johnson, 33-year-old Aboriginal woman, was found dead on Lameroo Beach on 1 January 2002 after drowning. She had a blood alcohol level of 0.192% and was intoxicated. Evidence indicates she was at the Hippe Club on New Year's Eve with her estranged de facto partner David Dixon, who had a history of violent assault against her. A witness, Kumar Selvaratnam, credibly identified Dixon with Johnson at the beach around 4:30am swimming together. DNA evidence from fingernails and cigarette butts confirmed Dixon was present. Another witness, Cynthia Baird, reported seeing Johnson being forcibly taken from the club by Dixon and Rodney Taylor. The coroner found Johnston died from drowning contributed to by intoxication but could not definitively establish whether another person caused or contributed to her death. The case demonstrates the importance of recognising intimate partner violence patterns and the vulnerability of intoxicated individuals to harm.