Tammy Shipley died from water intoxication in custody, inquest hears

In Brief

Tammy Shipley died in 2022 from water intoxication while held on minor charges at Silverwater correctional centre.

Key Facts

• Tammy Shipley was 47 years old and died in 2022 while on remand at Silverwater women’s correctional centre
• She was held for minor shoplifting charges at the time of her death
• CCTV footage presented at the inquest showed Shipley drank at least 67 cups of water within 12 hours before her death
• Family members described Shipley as a mother of five children and two grandchildren who enjoyed gardening and making TikTok videos
• The coroner is examining whether police informed prison staff about Shipley’s acute mental health conditions prior to her detention

What Happened

Tammy Shipley died in custody in 2022 from water intoxication after consuming a large amount of water over 12 hours while held on minor shoplifting charges at Silverwater women’s correctional centre. An inquest included testimony from family members about her life and noted the coroner is investigating communication between police and prison staff regarding her mental health status.

Why It Matters

The inquest into Shipley’s death includes examination of mental health considerations and inter-agency communication in custody settings. The case is part of ongoing public and official attention to deaths in custody, including those of Indigenous Australians, with the coroner’s findings pending further details. The coroner’s investigation into communication between police and prison staff is ongoing; no conclusions have been confirmed. The significance of the case in relation to broader deaths in custody issues is based on public and official interest but not established by this inquest a...