Amber-Leigh Hunwick. Photo: Supplied / Givealittle
A Wellington woman who died in police custody has been found to have had complications from chronic drug use combined with the lasting effects of a Covid-19 infection.
In her report, coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave identified shortcomings in police communications, record keeping, and cell checks.
But she could not conclusively conclude that stricter adherence to protocols - and potential medical intervention - would have saved the woman's life.
Amber-Leigh Hunwick, 43, died in 2024 nearly two days after she was taken into custody on 27 January.
Police had attended a family incident call out when they realised there was an active arrest warrant.
'A likeable lady [who was] good to deal with' - processing officer
Schmidt-McCleave said Hunwick's doctor confirmed the woman had undergone heart surgery just under the year before and had a history of drug and alcohol addiction.
She said police observed little sign of intoxication as Hunwick was processed with one officer describing her as a "likeable lady [who was] good to deal with".
Hunwick disclosed a heart condition to police and complained of chest pain - relating to recent heart surgery - and was supplied Panadol tablets on two occasions.
She was discovered unresponsive and lying on her back during a check on her cell at 2.40am on 29 January.
Officers conducted CPR and defibrillation but Hunwick was pronounced dead by ambulance staff at 3.19am.
Pathologist Dr Mark Tullett found that at the time of her death Hunwick had methamphetamine, amphetamine, amino clonazepam, methadone, and diazepam present in her blood.
He said changes in Hunwick's lungs were consistent with a number of causes - which could lead to impaired gas exchange and respiratory failure - including pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, or the inhalation of toxic substances.
Tullett concluded that the narcotics combined with Hunwick's chronic lung disease and acute infection (damaged lungs and pneumonia resulting from Covid-19) as well as her underlying cardiovascular disease were likely to have combined to result her death.
Amber-Leigh Hunwick. Photo: Supplied / Givealittle
Lapses in cell checks and information disclosed to detention unit staff
In her report, coroner Schmidt-McCleave observed that a police review of CCTV footage showed three lapses in the mandated two hourly checks on Hunwick's cell.
However, she accepted Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard's conclusion that a check prior to her death had occurred within the allocated time limit.
"The exceeded time checks identified did not contribute to Ms Hunwick's death as there were no concerns for her welfare at the check that occurred 1 hour and 37 minutes before the check when she was found unresponsive," Schmidt-McCleave said.
Schmidt-McCleave did identify short-comings in police custody note keeping and supervisor insight over Hunwick's evaluation and care which may have been compounded by a lack of information into Ms Hunwick's condition - including arresting/escorting officer handover notes.
"I am of the view that, had the correct information about Ms Hunwick's heart situation be available for evaluation, and had Ms Hunwick then be given specialist medical intervention, it may have picked up that Ms Hunwick was unwell and appropriate treatment would have been given.
"I cannot be conclusive as to whether Ms Hunwick's death would have been prevented, however, by specialist medical intervention," Schmidt-McCleave said.
Police implement additional prisoner health evaluation questions
Following Hunwick's death police expanded health evaluation questions asked by staff around medical conditions which included inquiring as to the prisoner's latest health episodes, hospitalisations and current medications.
The coroner recommended adding "discloses recent surgery or hospitalisation" to a list of bullet points that would instigate medical attention which also included a detainee showing signs of recent injury, failing to respond to stimuli, lapses in consciousness and being subjected to pepper spray, a dog bite or taser.
Schmidt-McCleave noted police had already made changes making the inclusion of arresting officer comments/handover notes into the custody units computerised notes system mandatory.
On concluding her findings the coroner offered her condolences to Hunwick's family and friends.
In a statement Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said police took their obligation to ensure the safety of people in their custody "very seriously".
"The police investigation into Amber-Leigh's death concluded that the level of care and evaluation assessment were all appropriate. We are working to progress the recommendations from the coroner's findings to ensure the best possible care for those in our custody.
"Our sympathies continue to be with Amber-Leigh's family," Pritchard said.
'She was kind to people'
Hunwick's mother Cherree Hunwick described her daughter as a generous person who would be missed by many.
"She was very loved by so many people. She was kind to people and she'd put other people first but - at the same time - she was a free spirit," she said.
Cherree Hunwick said - given only two months had passed since her daughter's heart surgery - police should have sought a medical examination in response to her reports of chest pain.
"She could've at least had some medical attention just to make sure she was all right," she said.
Cherree Hunwick said she was sceptical of how effective the procedural changes undertaken by police and the further recommendations of the coroner would be.
"She had big scars. She had the paper work from her release from the hospital. I'm not sure that the changes they're suggesting would make much difference if they didn't pay attention to that.
"Just to be told 'next time, document stuff' just isn't good enough. It's too late now," Cherree Hunwick said.
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