Homicide detectives are investigating a fatal incident at a mental health facility in Geelong, where one psychiatric patient has died and another is under police guard. The alleged altercation occurred at the Swanston Centre, run by Barwon Health, located on the corner of Myers and Swanston streets, around 2am on Monday.
Details of the Incident
Police discovered the body of a man, who has not yet been formally identified, inside a room at the facility. Another man, who was known to the victim and also a patient at the hospital, is currently under police guard. The Swanston Centre provides intensive mental health care to adult patients, with a staff team including peer workers, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists.
History of Controversy
The health service has a troubled history spanning over a decade. In 2017, Natasha Ablett, the older sister of AFL great Gary Ablett Jr and daughter of Gary Ablett Sr, was a patient at the hospital when she absconded. Ms Ablett, who battled drug addiction and had a mental health condition, later died of a drug overdose. Following this incident, Barwon Health pledged to implement changes, such as requiring staff to use swipe cards to control the front door.
In 2021, 44-year-old Allison Naomi Eagle was found unresponsive in her bed at the Swanston Centre on the morning she was due to be discharged. Despite family concerns about her treatment, a coroner could not determine the exact cause of death but was satisfied that Barwon Health had acted appropriately.
Another patient, a 54-year-old woman, was found dead at the centre in 2024, with the death treated as non-suspicious. A coronial inquest was launched after staff discovered her unresponsive. Months later, 22-year-old Bellamy Nieto was found dead in the facility just days after attempting to take their own life.
Ongoing Legal and Safety Issues
Barwon Health was charged in 2025 after a patient took her own life while undergoing treatment at the centre in December 2022. WorkSafe confirmed that the service faces two charges of failing to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks. This case remains before the court.
Official Responses
Barwon Health chief medical officer Ajai Verma confirmed the latest incident on Monday. 'There was an unexpected death of an inpatient in the acute mental health ward (Swanston Centre) overnight,' Professor Verma said in a statement. 'We extend our condolences to the family of the deceased patient. Support has been extended to staff.'
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas described the incident as 'very distressing.' She added, 'Well, obviously what happened is very distressing, but it is an active police investigation and I'm not going to cut across that. A crime scene has been established and it's important that police are able to get on and do their job.'
Broader Context
Discussions about security in Australian hospitals and inpatient facilities have intensified in the past month. This follows recent incidents in Sydney where two people escaped from care and allegedly caused the deaths of three people within 24 hours, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in mental health settings across the country.
