The sister of an Indigenous woman fatally shot by police in regional Western Australia has expressed support for the coroner’s conclusion that the incident could have been avoided.
Content Warning: This story includes mentions of suicidal thoughts and features an image of a deceased Indigenous person.
The woman, referred to as JC for cultural reasons, was shot in Geraldton in September 2019 by then-First Class Constable Brent Wyndham.
Coroner Ros Fogliani determined that the death of the 29-year-old Yamatji woman was preventable.
JC’s sister, Bernadette Clarke, who wore an Indigenous flag draped over her shoulders during a city gathering, said the inquest gave the family a chance to be heard.
“The coroner became our voice when we felt voiceless,” Ms Clarke said.
“We deeply love and miss JC — this process has brought us some peace.”
Family grieving another loss
The family is also mourning the recent passing of JC’s foster mother, LJ, who died in May and was laid to rest two weeks ago. Ms Clarke expressed sorrow that she wasn’t there to hear the coroner’s findings.
“That’s what’s painful,” she said.
“Having all this information now, but knowing she’s not here to hear it — it’s really impacted me that she couldn’t share her own thoughts.”
Former officer Brent Wyndham, who has since left the WA Police, was charged with JC’s murder but was acquitted in a landmark 2021 trial.
Ms Clarke welcomed the coroner’s criticism of Mr Wyndham.
“I believe the coroner acknowledged where he went wrong,” she said.
She also supported calls for better cultural awareness training within the police force.
“Officers need to understand they’re operating in Aboriginal communities,” she said.
“They need to work more closely and respectfully with Aboriginal people.”
Call for accountability and reform
Gerry Georgatos of the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project argued that the coroner’s report placed too much focus on JC’s personal history rather than the officer’s actions.
“The root cause of her death wasn’t her background — it was the officer’s unjustified use of a firearm,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for more thorough mental and emotional screening of police officers.
“Cultural training is essential, but I don’t believe it alone would have prevented what happened,” Mr Georgatos said.
The coroner made nine recommendations, including regular, co-developed cultural training sessions led by Indigenous people.
While WA Police declined to give an interview, they stated that several of the coroner’s recommendations had already been implemented.
“The Western Australia Police Force remains committed to improving service to the community and will carefully assess the coroner’s report,” the statement read.
