Inquest into the Death of Shane Christopher FLANDERS

29y · Male·unknown, probably immersion

Shane Flanders, a 29-year-old man with a complex psychiatric history including personality disorder, substance abuse, previous suicide attempt, and drug-induced psychosis, disappeared on 28 January 2016 after being released from custody. His car was found 200 metres from the ocean at City Beach with handwritten notes and diagrams detailing intention to drown, along with a concrete block consistent with this plan. He has not been located and all inquiries indicate he is deceased, probably by immersion. The coroner's findings highlight the critical importance of comprehensive psychiatric assessment and involuntary detention decisions when patients present with documented suicide plans, self-harm behaviour, and acute destabilisation. Earlier intervention by mental health services and more robust safety planning following the 27 January 2016 incident may have been preventative.