Coroner's Finding: Lowery, Nahuel Sebastian

41y · Male·Acute liver failure with contributing Castleman's disease

A 41-year-old Aboriginal man with HIV and Castleman's disease died from acute liver failure while on home detention. He had variable compliance with antiretroviral therapy, exacerbated by amphetamine use disorder and mental health issues. During detention, he declined in health but Department for Correctional Services appropriately monitored him and provided medical passouts. When he presented to hospital in January 2022 with septic shock and multi-organ failure, paramedics and hospital staff provided comprehensive investigations and treatment. Palliative care was appropriately initiated on day 4 of admission with timely administration of comfort medications. The coroner found no criticism of care providers and that DCS supervision was adequate, though noted DCS should monitor for conditions of squalor in future cases.