Inquest into the death of JF

60y · Female·multiple injuries

JF, a 60-year-old woman with recurrent major depressive disorder and a history of suicide attempts, died by suicide at Redhead Headland on 12 February 2024. Despite three prior psychiatric hospitalizations and documented previous visits to cliff locations contemplating jumping, she did not engage with psychiatric follow-up after discharge in April 2023. Her mood declined in the weeks before death, she resigned from work citing distress, and she visited Redhead Headland where she jumped from a 42.3-metre cliff while police attempted intervention. The coroner found police response appropriate, with proper mental health training, timely negotiator deployment, and appropriate non-restraint decisions given dangerous terrain and safety risks. Suicide deterrence measures have since been implemented at the location.