Clare Nowland is dearly missed by her family. Photo: Nowland Family.
The family of Clare Nowland, who died days after being tasered by a police officer, has told an inquest about the love they continue to hold for her.
A coronial inquest was held in Queanbeyan this week to examine the circumstances that led to the death of the 95-year-old great-grandmother.
She had been using a walking frame while holding a knife in Cooma’s Yallambee Lodge on 17 May 2023 when then-senior constable Kristian James Samuel White tasered her.
She fell over, hit her head on the ground and died from her injuries seven days later.
Ms Nowland’s daughter, Jenny Jordan, read a statement from the family to her inquest on Friday (15 May).
“She’s watching us,” the clearly emotional Ms Jordan said before beginning the statement.
“Here we are three years later, still dealing with the tragic circumstances of Mum’s death, that was taken in less than three minutes.”
The family felt White had shown “no remorse or accountability for his actions”.
Ms Jordan said her mother was loving, caring, and always had time for everyone. She loved playing golf and was devoted to the church.
“Mum always gave us the encouragement and the confidence to achieve anything we set our minds to,” Ms Jordan said.
“She was adventurous, bold and made the most of every day.
“She was an inspiration to us all.”
Ms Jordan previously thanked everyone who sent them messages of condolences, as well as for the gentle nature of the inquest. She finished the family statement by saying, “In our hearts forever”.
Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan thanked Ms Jordan for her “beautiful words” about her mother, who was an “extraordinary woman”.
“Everything we know about your Mum was that family was everything to her,” the coroner said.
“She had a very full life.
“What’s really clear is the love she got from you, her eight children and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
White was found guilty of manslaughter over Ms Nowland’s death.
He lost his job with the police force, but was spared jail time before an attempt to appeal his sentence was rejected by the courts.
The inquest was held to examine whether Ms Nowland’s care and treatment were adequate, why police were called to the lodge, what alternatives aside from firing a taser were available that morning, and what training could be provided to first responders and care staff on dealing with people suffering from dementia.
Coroner O’Sullivan will deliver her findings at a later date.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
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