An inquest into the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who was fatally Tasered by a New South Wales police officer in her nursing home, has commenced in Queanbeyan. The coroner is expected to examine systemic issues and make recommendations to improve how first responders handle aggressive dementia patients.
Background of the Incident
On 17 May 2023, then-senior constable Kristian James Samuel White fired his Taser at Nowland at Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma. Emergency services had been called after Nowland, who had dementia symptoms, took two serrated steak knives from the kitchen and refused to surrender them. The 48kg great-grandmother fell and struck her head after being hit by the Taser barbs, and died in hospital a week later from a brain bleed.
Inquest Proceedings
Counsel assisting Sophie Callan SC stated that Nowland's death "rocked her family, the local community and the broader NSW community to its core." Nowland was described as a generous woman who engaged in charity work and enjoyed golf and travel until her late 80s. The inquest aims to provide solace to her family by answering outstanding questions.
State coroner Teresa O'Sullivan will investigate systemic issues prior to the Tasering, focusing on dementia care and training for aged care staff, police, and ambulance officers. Callan noted that one in four people over 80 has dementia, and the number of people with dementia is expected to double in the next 20 years, affecting over 4% of the population.
Training and Response
The court heard that at the time of the incident, neither NSW police nor ambulance officers had specific training for responding to incidents involving people with dementia. In 2024, ambulance officers received training on handling a dementia patient wielding a spatula in an aged care facility. Callan suggested improvements in cooperation and communication between police and ambulance officers in such situations.
Callan argued that the situation White faced—Nowland stepping towards him and his partner with a knife—was not exceptional enough to justify using a Taser. The inquest is expected to hear evidence that Nowland's care at Yallambee Lodge was reasonable.
Legal Outcomes
White was found guilty of manslaughter by a NSW Supreme Court jury in November 2024. He received a two-year good behaviour bond in March 2025, a decision upheld by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. During the two-minute and 40-second encounter, White drew his stun gun and aimed it at Nowland for a minute before saying "nah, bugger it" and firing at her chest. White, 36, was dismissed from the police force in December 2024 and later dropped his bid to regain his position through the Industrial Relations Commission.
