Deceased
Jake Daniel Waterhouse
Demographics
24y, male
Coroner
Lock
Date of death
2014-02-13
Finding date
2015-08-03
Cause of death
Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to or as a consequence of hanging
AI-generated summary
Jake Daniel Waterhouse, a 24-year-old man with bipolar disorder and anxiety, died by suicidal hanging at Ipswich General Hospital. He had a history of mental illness, had distanced himself from his biological family, and was involved in complicated personal relationships. Multiple established suicide risk factors were present in his circumstances. The coroner found no direct third-party involvement but noted that his mental health condition and interpersonal difficulties contributed to his decision. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive suicide risk assessment, family engagement despite relationship estrangement, and identifying vulnerable individuals with multiple concurrent risk factors.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
OFFICE OF THE STATE CORONER FINDINGS OF INQUEST CITATION: Inquest into the death of Jake Daniel Waterhouse TITLE OF COURT: Coroners Court JURISDICTION: Ipswich FILE NO(s): 2014/552 DELIVERED ON: 3 August 2015 DELIVERED AT: Brisbane HEARING DATE(s): 11 May 2015; 30 June – 1 July 2015, 15 July 2015 FINDINGS OF: John Lock, Deputy State Coroner CATCHWORDS: Coroners: inquest, youth suicide, mental health and bipolar disorder, likely triggers for suicide
REPRESENTATION: Counsel Assisting: Miss E Cooper, Office of State Coroner Counsel for the family: Mr A Braithwaite of Counsel I/B Gilshenan & Luton Counsel for Georgina Gardiner: Mr C Minnery of Counsel I/B Best Wilson Buckley
NON-PUBLICATION ORDER With reference to the previous non-publication order made by me on 30 June 2015, I make a non-publication order in terms of section 41 of the Coroners Act 2003 prohibiting the publication of the body of these findings, but for the cover page and formal findings under s.45(2) of the Act.
SIGNED: CORONER: John Lock – Deputy State Coroner DATED: 3 August 2015 COURT: Coroners Court LOCATION: Ipswich
Findings required by s. 45 Identity of the deceased – Jake Daniel Waterhouse How he died – Mr Waterhouse had a mental health history of bipolar disorder and anxiety. He had placed distance between himself and his biological family. He was involved in a number of complicated personal relationships in the lead up to his death. He was particularly vulnerable to making compulsive decisions and there were a number of well-known risk factors for completed suicide evident in his current circumstances. It was in that context that Mr Waterhouse died by way of suicidal hanging. There was no direct third party involvement but the indirect effects of his mental health and complicated interpersonal relationships would have been contributory to his decision.
Place of death – Ipswich General Hospital, Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich in the State of Queensland.
Date of death– 13 February 2014 Cause of death – Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy due to or as a consequence of hanging I close the inquest.
John Lock Deputy State Coroner Brisbane 3 August 2015
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