Finding into death of David Travaglia

27y · Male·carbon monoxide poisoning

David Travaglia, a 27-year-old man with cerebral palsy, profound deafness, and inability to walk or speak, died from carbon monoxide poisoning. He was killed by his father, Edo Travaglia, who deliberately connected a hose from his vehicle's exhaust into the car containing both sons and himself. The father had devoted his life to caring for his disabled sons, fighting for improved residential care services. Despite finally achieving quality care through a new provider in early 2009, the father decided to end his life and that of his sons. The coroner could not definitively explain why the father changed his intention between June and August 2009, when he had previously stated he would take his own life once the boys were well cared for. This case highlights the profound psychological burden on primary carers of profoundly disabled individuals and the importance of mental health support for such caregivers.