Key Takeaways
- The coronial inquest into the death of Sonya Dutton, a 31-year-old Barkindji mother-of-two, has concluded with many unanswered questions remaining.
- The inquest heard that the initial police investigation was flawed, and a second investigation was launched in October 2023.
- The coroner’s court heard that there was no evidence to suggest a homicide, but also no evidence to exclude it.
- The inquest highlighted the need for 24/7 crisis services in Wilcannia, with experts stating that the current drive-in, drive-out and fly-in, fly-out method has limitations.
- The court heard about the challenges of delivering acute mental health support in Wilcannia, including workforce challenges and the need for improved collaboration between services.
Introduction to the Inquest
The coronial inquest into the death of Sonya Dutton, a 31-year-old Barkindji mother-of-two, has concluded with an emotional statement from her father, Keith Dutton. The inquest was launched after Sonya’s body was found in the backyard of her family’s Wilcannia residence on March 29, 2022, four days after she was reportedly last seen. Initially, her death was ruled a suicide by detectives, but the NSW state coroner requested a second investigation in October 2023 due to concerns about the initial investigation.
The Initial Investigation and Its Flaws
The coroner’s court heard that the initial police investigation was flawed, with Detective Senior Constable Patrick Chew, who led the second investigation, concluding that while there was no evidence to suggest a homicide, there was also no evidence to exclude it. This highlights the need for thorough and rigorous investigations into deaths, particularly in cases where there may be concerns about the circumstances surrounding the death. The fact that the initial investigation was flawed and a second investigation was necessary raises questions about the adequacy of the initial response and the potential consequences of such flaws.
The Need for 24/7 Crisis Services
The final two days of the inquest focused on health services, with experts highlighting the need for 24/7 crisis services in Wilcannia. Victoria Hovane, a psychologist with over 40 years of experience, told the court that it was essential to have a locally based service that could provide support to vulnerable individuals overnight. She emphasized that the current drive-in, drive-out and fly-in, fly-out method has limitations and that access to services cannot be built around when the next visit is. This highlights the need for more comprehensive and accessible mental health services in rural areas, particularly in Indigenous communities.
Challenges in Delivering Mental Health Support
The inquest heard about the challenges of delivering acute mental health support in Wilcannia, including workforce challenges and the need for improved collaboration between services. The Royal Flying Doctors Service, Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation, the Wilcannia Safe House, and the Far West Local Health District all spoke about the difficulties they face in providing adequate support to individuals in need. RFDS South-Eastern Section Chief Medical Officer Shannon Nott emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration and community involvement in addressing health challenges in Wilcannia. This highlights the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to mental health support in rural areas.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The coronial inquest into Sonya Dutton’s death has concluded, but the findings are yet to be handed down by State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan. The inquest has highlighted the need for improvements in the investigation of deaths, particularly in cases where there may be concerns about the circumstances surrounding the death. It has also emphasized the need for more comprehensive and accessible mental health services in rural areas, particularly in Indigenous communities. The findings of the inquest are expected to be handed down next year, and it is hoped that they will provide some answers for Sonya’s family and community, as well as recommendations for improvements to the systems and services that are in place to support individuals in need.
