Questions remain after aged care death
- Police investigation: Woman, 53, in custody after aged care resident dies
- Cause unknown: Detectives allege a substance was administered but testing continues
- No charges yet: Police say it is too early to determine motive
- Major provider: Our Lady of Consolation cares for 336 residents and 2,900 home care clients
NSW Police are investigating the death of an 84-year-old woman at a Western Sydney aged care home after her dughter was taken into custody overnight.
Emergency services were called to Our Lady of Consolation in Rooty Hill, 42km west of the Sydney CBD, shortly before midnight on Thursday, where the woman was found dead.
Police allege the woman’s 53-year-old daughter administered an unidentified substance before her mother’s death but say it is too early to determine what the substance was or whether it contributed to her passing.
“We don’t know exactly what that substance is at the moment,” Detective Superintendent Darrin Batchelor told reporters.
“It’s really too early to determine what the motivation is … whether it was an assisted dying scenario, we really don’t know.”
Police said the resident had multiple medical conditions and detectives are awaiting the results of toxicology testing and a post-mortem examination before the Coroner determines the cause of death.
Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage and examining the circumstances surrounding the daughter’s presence at the facility late on Thursday night.
Detective Superintendent Batchelor said the woman had no known criminal history and was co-operating with investigators. No charges had been laid at the time of publication.
Our Lady of Consolation cared for 336 residential aged care residents during the 2024-25 financial year and provided home care services to a further 2,910 clients.
