WARNING: Content in this article may be distressing.
A coronial inquest into the death in custody of a 33-year-old Aboriginal woman has heard that she cried for medical help multiple times before she was found dead on her cell floor.
Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman, Veronica Marie Nelson, died in custody at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in January of 2020.
On her arrival at the prison, Ms Nelson spent two days in a medical ward where she was assessed by medical staff and treated with painkillers, anti-nausea medication and other prescription pills to treat withdrawals from heroin.
She was assessed by a nurse who recommended she be sent to a hospital for proper treatment, however, the prison doctor disagreed and sent Ms Nelson into the mainstream prison population.
In the hours leading up to hear death, Ms Nelson experienced painful leg cramps and frequent vomiting.
She screamed for help and pressed the intercom in her cell nine times before her death, but was told by corrective services to “be quiet” and that the intercom was for “emergencies only.”
"You need to try and stop because you're keeping the other prisoners awake. I can't give you anything else," a guard told her.
An autopsy found that Ms Nelson had died from complications of Wilkes Syndrome while she was suffering withdrawals from chronic opiate use.
Veronica is being remembered by her family for her kindness and caring nature. Source: Supplied
She also weighed just 33kg and had a Body Mass Index of 13, compared to a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. She also had a grossly dilated and distended stomach.
A sign on her cell door also said, “do not unlock”, which prevented prison staff from entering her cell to render proper medical help.
At 3.56am on January 2, 2020 Ms Nelson made her second last call to a guard, where she can be heard screaming in agony in a recording played in court on Tuesday.
In her last interaction with prison medical staff and guards on the morning of her death, a video played in court shows a nurse prying Ms Nelson's hands open though her cell door to give her medication.
Ms Nelson was discovered dead on the floor of her cell 3-hours later, after she did not respond to the headcount by prison guards in the morning.
A nurse believed she had been dead for some time.
In her opening address, counsel assisting the coroner, Sharon Lacy said Ms Nelson’s death should have been avoided.
"(Veronica) may have passed of natural causes but if it could have been avoided, it should have been,” said Ms Lacy.
“If her pain could have been alleviated it should have been.
"She was detained and in state care. She was entitled to be treated with dignity, in life and in passing."
The mother of Veronica Nelson, Aunty Donna arrives to the inquest with Veronica's partner, Percy Lovett Source: ABC.
Family hopes inquest will help prevent future deaths
Addressing the court today, Ms Nelson's mother, Aunty Donna Nelson said she hoped the inquest into the death of her daughter would bring about change.
"This inquest is first and foremost about Veronica, and how a broken criminal justice system locked my daughter up and let her die while she begged for help, over and over," said Ms Nelson.
"We are still connected and her spirit won't rest until those who are responsible for Veronica's death are exposed and held to account. Only then will my Poccum (nickname) be free."
Her partner of more than 20-years, Percy Lovett also addressed the court with a statement before giving evidence.
He described Ms Nelson as the “smartest” and most “caring” woman he had ever met.
Mr Lovett described her as a strong and helpful woman, who was his other half and taught him about Indigenous culture.
"Whenever she would talk about Blackfellas, the stories she would come out with were unreal," he said.
"She knew a hell of a lot more than me. She really woke me up and made me listen."
The inquest is expected to hear from more than 60 witnesses over the course of 5-weeks.
The Inquest continues.
