Family of Mother with Mental Health History Who Died in Custody Speaks Out: ‘We Lost a Best Friend’

An inquest into the tragic death of Tammy Shipley, a mother-of-five, has resumed over a year after it was temporarily halted. Shipley, who had been taken into custody on shoplifting charges, passed away while incarcerated at the Silverwater Correctional Complex in New South Wales in December 2022. Reports indicate that she consumed an astonishing 67 cups of water during a 12-hour period before her death, leading to severe water intoxication.

Shipley, who identified as Aboriginal, had a documented history of mental health issues, including schizoaffective disorder and previous suicide attempts. Her family and advocates have raised serious concerns about how her medical history was handled by the authorities. Prior testimonies revealed that police failed to inform correctional staff about her mental health background, which may have significantly impacted the events leading up to her untimely death.

The inquest, which reopened on 23 February 2023, was previously stalled following a request from New South Wales police. They sought a ruling from the Supreme Court to limit the inquest’s scope to activities occurring after Shipley was detained, thereby omitting crucial interactions she had with officers prior to her arrest. In September, a judge dismissed this request, allowing the inquest to proceed with its full examination.

During the onset of the inquest, details surrounding Shipley’s final hours revealed a grim narrative. It was reported that CCTV footage captured her drinking from a tap in her cell continuously from early hours until just before noon on the day she died. Moments later, Shipley collapsed, experiencing severe symptoms such as vomiting and spasms. Regrettably, it took prison guards around 90 minutes to respond to her alarming condition.

At the inquest, Peggy Dwyer, the counsel assisting the coroner, highlighted that had the guards conducted a visual check inside her cell when her condition began to deteriorate, they would have witnessed her convulsing on the bed. Dwyer stated, “At 12.27 p.m., one officer walked past cell five that Tammy was in. The cell was not visible externally. But if someone had looked inside, they would have seen Tammy seizing on the bed.”

Family members of Shipley took the stand during the hearing, sharing their heartache at the loss of their mother. A poignant written statement from her daughter was read in court, expressing what Shipley meant to her family: “My mum was my safe place, my comfort, and someone I confided in. If love could have saved her, she could have lived forever.” Another daughter added that they had not only lost a mother but also a best friend in the tragedy.

Medical professionals determined that Shipley’s death resulted from hyponatremia, a condition caused by dangerously low sodium levels in the blood due to excessive water intake. This was exacerbated by her pre-existing schizoaffective disorder and the medical treatments stemming from it. Such findings raise important questions about the protocols in place for inmates with known mental health conditions.

The resumption of the inquest has been met with renewed scrutiny regarding the treatment of individuals with mental health issues within the prison system. Advocates assert that the failings displayed in Shipley’s case reflect broader systemic issues that need urgent addressing to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As the inquest continues, the focus will remain on determining the responsibilities of law enforcement and correctional officials, particularly regarding the communication of inmates’ health histories. The outcome is anticipated to shed light on the necessary reforms required to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals in custody.

This situation not only highlights the need for greater awareness of mental health issues among incarceration populations but also calls into question the effectiveness of existing training and protocols in correctional facilities. The hope is that justice for Tammy Shipley may ultimately contribute to meaningful changes that enhance the treatment and care of all inmates facing similar challenges.