Finding into death of Felicity Ruth Loveday

83y · Female·unascertained

Felicity Ruth Loveday, aged 83, disappeared and is presumed deceased after setting sail from Port Phillip Bay on 11 December 2019 with her son. Ms Loveday had significant medical and cognitive vulnerabilities including severe dementia, stroke history, multiple comorbidities, and 24/7 care dependency. Her son took her on the vessel despite its defects, poor suitability for the intended voyage, and adverse weather forecasts. She was rendered vulnerable and helpless by her disabilities, dementia, and inability to independently manage a marine emergency. Critical issues include inadequate medical assessment of her fitness for such a voyage, absence of capacity evaluation or safeguarding decision-making, lack of family medicine involvement in assessing risks, and no apparent consideration of her best interests or vulnerability protections.