Coroner's Finding: Davis, Patricia Jane

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Olivia McTaggart, Coroner, having investigated the death of Patricia Jane Davis Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Patricia Jane Davis.

b) Ms Davis was born on 2 February 1970 and was 52 years of age at her death. She was a registered nurse and lived alone in Nowhere Else, a rural locality in the north-west of Tasmania. Although she was employed, she was reclusive in her lifestyle and enjoyed the horses and animals on her property. She suffered a number of significant medical conditions, for which she was prescribed medication by her general practitioner. These included systemic lupus erythematosus, bipolar affective disorder, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and osteopenia.

On 19 March 2022, Ms Davis was discovered deceased in her locked home by her friend who had a spare key. She was lying face down on the floor between her bed and the wall with an electric blanket under her. She had last been seen six days previously, on Sunday 13 March 2022. Police officers attended the scene and investigated the circumstances of her death.

c) I am unable to determine Ms Davis’s cause of death due to the decomposed state of her body when it was discovered. However, I am satisfied that there were no suspicious circumstances indicating that any other person was involved in her death. I do not consider that prescription drug overdose is likely, however there are significant limitations in the toxicological analysis in this case. It is more likely that Ms Davis died of natural causes. At autopsy, the forensic pathologist noted a possible separation of the anastomosis between the gastric pouch and small bowel from previous biliary-pancreatic diversion surgery. However, he was unable to comment further about whether this contributed to death. He also noted that Ms Davis was obese, with a high BMI, and had a clinical history of other medical conditions.

d) Ms Davis died between 13 and 19 March 2022 at Nowhere Else, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Ms Davis’s death. The evidence includes Tasmania Police Report of Death, affidavits confirming identification and life extinct, opinion of the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy, toxicological analysis of post-mortem blood samples, information from family members and Ms Davis’s general practitioner.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Patricia Jane Davis’s death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Davis.

Dated: 8 July 2022 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.

Olivia McTaggart Coroner