Arabic version: تحقيق يكشف عن دعم الصحة النفسية المفقود لضحايا إطلاق النار

An inquest into the death of Aubrey Donahue has revealed multiple missed opportunities to address his mental health prior to his fatal encounter with police. The 27-year-old was shot during a four-hour standoff in Mareeba, Queensland, in March 2023, after he locked himself and his partner in a bathroom while holding a knife.

According to ABC News, the inquest has been ongoing for nine days at the Cairns Courthouse, focusing on the factors leading up to Donahue’s death. Testimonies indicated that Donahue appeared to be drug-affected and unwell during the incident. Furthermore, he was due to complete his parole just three days after the shooting.

Brett Wilson, Queensland Corrective Services’ Far North Queensland regional manager, faced questioning regarding the agency’s failure to respond adequately to concerns raised about Donahue’s mental health. His mother had reached out to corrective services in February 2023, expressing worries about her son’s wellbeing, but the agency did not follow up with necessary interventions.

The court heard that despite Donahue’s acknowledgment of feeling “down and depressed” and his agreement to attend counseling, no referral was made. Wilson admitted there were missed opportunities to improve the management of Donahue’s case, stating that more thorough checks could have provided better insight into his condition.

Family members have attended the inquest daily, expressing their grief and loss. A statement from Donahue’s family emphasized their desire for him to be remembered for the love he received rather than the tragic circumstances of his death. They hope the findings of the inquest will lead to better treatment for individuals facing mental health challenges in the future.