An inquest into the death of Tammy Shipley, a 47-year-old Indigenous Australian woman, heard emotional testimony from her grieving daughters and mother on Tuesday. They remembered her as a caring and joyful mother who "laughed constantly" and adored her five children and two grandchildren.
Tragic Circumstances of Death
Shipley died while on remand at Silverwater women's correctional centre in New South Wales on December 20, 2022. She had been arrested on minor shoplifting charges. An autopsy determined her cause of death was hyponatraemia, resulting from extremely low sodium levels due to polydipsia, or unquenchable thirst, and complications from her schizoaffective disorder.
Family Testimony Highlights Loss
During the proceedings, the court heard from Shipley's mother, Vickey Shipley, and four of her children. Hayley, her 22-year-old daughter, became too overwhelmed to speak, so her statement was read by a close friend. She wrote, "She was someone who laughed constantly, cared deeply for her children and was part of our family and community." Hayley emphasized that her mother's death has irrevocably altered her mental health, relationships, and sense of safety.
Chloe, Shipley's second eldest daughter and mother of her two grandchildren, testified about her mother's resilience. She noted that Shipley had escaped a domestic violence relationship and provided a safe haven for her children. "My mum opened my eyes for a better life without the abuse and healing after separating from my dad," Chloe said, adding it was difficult to explain to her children that their grandmother was gone.
Systemic Failures Alleged
Vickey Shipley expressed anger at the institutions meant to protect her daughter. "I am so angry that during my daughter's life, I have been her advocate at every institution. All these were meant to be safe and there to protect and help her, but they didn't," she told the court. She criticized the poor management of Shipley's psychiatric conditions, stating that guardianship and power of attorney documents were often ignored.
The inquest revealed that New South Wales police failed to inform corrections department or custody management officers about Shipley's multiple mental health conditions. Additionally, expert witnesses, Professors Olav Nielssen and Michael Large, provided evidence on care models for individuals with complex mental health issues, though neither treated Shipley directly.
Legal and Procedural Context
The inquest began in September 2024 but was adjourned after the police commissioner challenged the coroner's jurisdiction to examine the circumstances of Shipley's arrest. It is now continuing under NSW coroner Teresa O'Sullivan. The case has drawn attention to broader issues of mental health care and custodial safety.
Shipley's family highlighted her struggles, including surviving two bouts of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and her efforts to live a normal life for her children. They called for recognition of her story and the systemic changes needed to prevent similar tragedies.
