Deceased
Roger Gordon Radford
Demographics
69y, male
Date of death
2009-12-05
Finding date
2012-11-14
Cause of death
haemopericardium due to extensive aortic dissection due to hypertensive heart disease
AI-generated summary
A 69-year-old man died in prison from haemopericardium secondary to extensive aortic dissection caused by chronic hypertension. Death was rapid and occurred in the early morning hours. The autopsy confirmed natural causes with no clinical intervention failures identified. Prison staff responded appropriately and timely upon discovery. This case highlights that while hypertensive heart disease is preventable through adequate blood pressure management, there is no evidence presented that clinical management failures contributed to this death. The coroner made no recommendations, indicating no preventable factors were identified in the custodial care provided.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
CORONERS ACT, 2003 SOUTH AUSTRALIA FINDING OF INQUEST An Inquest taken on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen at Adelaide in the State of South Australia, on the 3rd day of November 2011 and the 14th day of November 2012, by the Coroner’s Court of the said State, constituted of Mark Frederick Johns, State Coroner, into the death of Roger Gordon Radford.
The said Court finds that Roger Gordon Radford aged 69 years, late of Mobilong Prison, Maurice Road, Murray Bridge, South Australia died at Mobilong Prison, Murray Bridge, South Australia on the 5th day of December 2009 as a result of haemopericardium due to extensive aortic dissection. The said Court finds that the circumstances of his death were as follows:
Introduction and cause of death 1.1. Roger Gordon Radford died on 5 December 2009 at Mobilong Prison. He was aged 69 years. The cause of death at autopsy was haemopericardium due to extensive aortic dissection due to hypertensive heart disease1, and I so find.
Background, reason for Inquest and outcome of Inquest 2.1. At the age of 45 Mr Radford was sentenced to life imprisonment for the charge of murder. Therefore, at the time of his death Mr Radford was detained subsequent to an Act or law of the State and, accordingly, his was a death in custody within the meaning of the Coroner’s Act 2003 and this Inquest was held as required by section 21(1)(a) of that Act.
1 Exhibit C3a
2.2. Mr Radford was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia during the course of his prison sentence.
2.3. It was the opinion of forensic pathologist, Dr Charlwood, that Mr Radford’s death occurred rapidly as a consequence of the haemopericardium which was brought about by an aortic dissection which was in turn a result of chronic hypertension. Mr Radford’s death was from natural causes. It is clear that he died at some point in the very early hours of 5 December 2009 and that his death was a rapid and quiet event.
When he was discovered following his death the prison staff reacted appropriately and in a timely fashion.
Key Words: Death in Custody; Natural Causes In witness whereof the said Coroner has hereunto set and subscribed his hand and Seal the 14th day of November, 2012.
State Coroner Inquest Number 39/2011 (1898/2009)
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