Content warning for First Nations readers – the following includes the name and image of a deceased Martu woman.
The National Justice Project is hoping an inquest into the death in custody of Martu woman Dannielle Lowe this week will help bring answers and justice for her family as they continue to grieve her premature death at the age of 41.
Ms Lowe was incarcerated at Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison and died on Christmas Eve in 2022 after what her family believe was a ruptured aneurysm three days earlier. At 28, Dannielle lost her own mother to an aneurysm.
National Justice Project solicitor Rosaleen Jeffries said the inquest will investigate the cause of Dannielle’s death and the appropriateness of care provided to Ms Lowe including action taken after she had complained of headaches.
“Her eight children, aged between 5 and 26 years, have not had answers as to what contributed to their Mum’s death for well over two years. We hope that the findings from this inquest will bring them a sense of justice,” Ms Jeffries said.
“It’s important to shed light on the inequitable and disempowering care provided to people in Australia’s prison system, especially First Nations women. The National Justice Project are supporting the family’s desire to find out whether the prison health service could have provided Ms Lowe a greater standard of care, earlier escalation of treatment and indeed if her death could have been prevented. We also want to see systemic change to improve health care in prisons, particularly for First Nations women” she said.
Sisters Inside CEO Debbie Kilroy heard from Ms Lowe’s peers that she had been working hard to complete Wandoo’s rehabilitation program and was due to graduate from this program just days after her passing.
“Dannielle was such a beautiful person and was known for her kindness. Dannielle’s life mattered and we hope that the inquest will reflect this and show that her death can have a profound impact on the level of care provided to other First Nations women,” Ms Kilroy said.
Dannielle Lowe pictured with her son Kaihil.
(Image provided with consent from Ms Lowe’s family)
Media enquires to media@justice.org.au
Media Coverage
- Hope for ‘answers and justice’ as inquest into death of Dannielle Lowe to begin this week
National Indigenous Times, 4 March 2025
