Tammy Shipley drank 67 glasses of water before death in custody, inquest hears

CCTV footage shown at an inquest recorded Tammy Shipley drinking at least 67 cups of water in 12 hours before she died in custody of water intoxication. The 47-year-old mother of five died while being held on remand at Silverwater women’s correctional centre on 20 December 2022 after being arrested on minor shoplifting charges.

The inquest began in September 2024 but was adjourned after the police commissioner challenged the coroner’s jurisdiction to examine the circumstances of Shipley’s arrest and detention. The supreme court of NSW ruled the coroner’s jurisdiction did extend to those matters, and the hearing resumed under state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan.

Peggy Dwyer SC, counsel assisting the coroner, told the court Shipley had a long history of mental health illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, substance abuse and suicide attempts.

Australia, Silverwater, New South Wales

tammy shipley, silverwater, water intoxication, inquest, cctv footage, remand, new south, coroner, mental health, shoplifting charges