Finding into death of Chantelle Adele Cartier

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: COR 2012 / 4858

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: CHANTELLE ADELE CARTIER Delivered On: 18 February 2014 Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street

Melbourne 3000

Hearing Dates: 18 February 2014

Findings of: PETER WHITE, CORONER

Police Coronial Support Unit Leading Senior Constable King Taylor

1 of 3

J, PETER WHITE, Coroner having investigated the death of CHANTELLE ADELE CARTIER

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 18 February 2014

at Melbourne

find that the identity of the deceased was CHANTELLE ADELE CARTIER born on 3 July 1966

and the death occurred on 16 November 2012

at Thomas Embling Hospital, Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield 3078

from: 1(a) ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKAEMIA.

in the following circumstances:

1. Ms Chantelle Adele Cartier was a 46 year old woman who, for the last ten years of her life was a resident at the Thomas Embling Hospital. On 26 August 2004, Ms Carter was made a Forensic Patient by way of a Custodial Supervision Order with a nominal term of 25 years commencing 11 April 2003 as a result of being tried for her son’s murder and being found

not guilty by reason of mental impairment.

2. Ms Cartier was initially admitted to the sub-acute unit of the Thomas Embling Hospital however over time her condition improved and she was placed in a lower risk unit. She was

treated for paranoid schizophrenia

3. On 4 November 2011, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and she commenced treatment. Unfortunately she did not respond to treatment and elected to spend her remaining days in palliative care surrounded by her friends. She passed away on 16

November 2012.

4. Doctor Heinrich Bouwer of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine performed a post mortem inspection, The post mortem CT scan showed evidence of splenomegaly and emphysematous. Doctor Bouwer concluded that Ms Cartier’s death was a result of natural

caused and noted the cause of death to be acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

5. As Ms Cartier was subject to a custodial supervision order immediately prior to her death, she was classified as a person placed in care or custody under the Coroners Act 2008 and as

such, I was required under section 52(2) of the Act to hold an inquest.

2 0f3

Finding I find that the cause of Ms Cartier’s death was acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. I am satisfied that

there were no issues with Ms Cartier’s care at the Thomas Embling Hospital.

I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Ms Leonie Stuart

Ms Sonia Law, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health Ms Jeanette Russel, Forensicare

Senior Constable S Murray, Investigating Member, Victoria Police

Signature:

—

if

PETER WHITE

CORONER Date: 18 February 2014 wee 3

3 of 3