Findings
A written finding is a formal document handed down by a coroner following an investigation into a death or fire and is generally the final step in the coronial investigation process. A written finding is made regardless of whether an inquest is held or not.
A written finding following an investigation into a death will usually, if possible, include:
- the identity of the person who died
- the time, date, and location where the death occurred
- a summary of the evidence relating to the circumstances of the death, in some cases
- comments or recommendations made by the coroner aimed at preventing similar deaths, in some cases.
Findings are published when:
- an inquest was held
- recommendations have been made
- a coroner otherwise orders they be published.
Findings handed down and published are available below.
Search older findings on the Australasian Legal Information Institute database (AustLII).
Please consider that it may be upsetting to read details about a death or fire in an inquest finding. Some information may be graphic or distressing.
Use the search field above to locate a finding. You can search for a name, a case number, type of death or location of death.
Any person may apply for some or all of a finding to be reviewed and/or appealed.
Recommendations
The Coroners Act 2008 allows a coroner to make recommendations as part of their finding following an investigation into a death or fire.
Recommendations can be made to any Minister, public statutory authority or entity that may help prevent similar deaths. A public statutory authority or entity who receives a recommendation from a coroner must respond, in writing, within three months stating what action, if any, has or will be taken.
The Court will publish inquest findings with recommendations and the subsequent responses below.
Findings list
Name | Case ID | Case type | Date Sort ascending | Coroner | Related orders and rulings | Responses to recommendations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosa Sinapi | COR 2009 4964 | Finding into death without inquest | 13/09/2011 | Coroner Kim M. W. Parkinson | ||
George Marcus | COR 1997 1148 | Finding into death without inquest | 08/09/2011 | State Coroner Judge Jennifer Coate | ||
Hugh Peter Bourke | COR 2011 0078 | Finding into death with inquest | 07/09/2011 | Coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass | ||
Sheryl Yvonne Martell | COR 2010 2443 | Finding into death with inquest | 05/09/2011 | Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos | ||
Neil Charles Bethune | COR 2010 2031 | Finding into death with inquest | 05/09/2011 | Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos | ||
Lay Yeo | COR 2010 0409 | Finding into death without inquest | 02/09/2011 | Coroner Jonathan G Klestadt | ||
Kim Yeo | COR 2010 0408 | Finding into death without inquest | 02/09/2011 | Coroner Jonathan G Klestadt | ||
Elijah Michael Shelley | COR 2008 4973 | Finding into death with inquest | 01/09/2011 | Coroner John Olle | ||
Barry Wilson Howroyd | COR 2008 3593 | Finding into death with inquest | 31/08/2011 | Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos | ||
Joanne Elizabeth Howell | COR 2007 1498 | Finding into death with inquest | 26/08/2011 | Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos |