The family of a young Aboriginal woman who took her own life in a Melbourne hospital hours after seeking psychiatric help is demanding a full investigation into her treatment. Makalie Watts-Owens, a 24-year-old Tagalaka, Kukatja and Worimi woman, voluntarily admitted herself to St Vincent's Hospital on 15 February 2024.
Makalie's mother, Sharon Watts-Owens, said her daughter was given medication to help her sleep and left alone in a room, where she died by suicide. Staff discovered her unresponsive, but she could not be revived. She died on 19 February. 'They left her alone, with no intervals of 10 minutes to check on her,' Ms Watts-Owens said.
The family is calling for accountability, citing Victoria's clinical guidelines that require continuous monitoring for suicidal patients. Makalie's friend Miriama Pearce-Wikatene described the death as a preventable failure of the healthcare system. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has also expressed concerns and called for urgent reforms.
A spokesperson for St Vincent's Hospital offered condolences but declined to comment, as the matter has been referred to the state coroner.
