Inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Alan LY

25y · Male·Unable to be determined

Alan Ly, aged 25, disappeared on 22 September 2015 and is presumed dead. Evidence strongly suggests suicide: a handwritten note expressing long-standing suicidal ideation, recent paternal suicide, sleep disturbance, financial stress, and out-of-character gifting of possessions and money to family members. His mobile phone was last traced to Watsons Bay near 'The Gap' (a known suicide location). No body was recovered and the specific cause and manner of death could not be determined. Clinical lessons: recognise suicide risk in those bereaved by parental suicide, particularly with pre-existing sleep disruption, hopelessness about mental health treatment, and recent psychosocial stressors. Early intervention by mental health services following paternal suicide may have been beneficial.