Woomera fallout blamed for Crystal Brook stabber’s mental health

A close family member of the Crystal Brook man who stabbed two police officers said working in a tough job contributed to his mental decline.

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A close family member of the crazed Crystal Brook man who brutally stabbed two police officers and was subsequently shot dead has spoken of their relative’s history of trauma.

The family member of the deceased man, Sean Ferris, requested to remain anonymous due to fear of online attacks, highlighting Ferris’ time working at the Woomera detention centre as a key catalyst for his mental health decline.

They claimed Ferris had not received adequate support for his mental health after a stint working at the former Australian immigration detention facility for a period of time between 1999 and 2002.

Back yard of the home of Sean Ferris who was fatally shot by police after he stabbed them outside his Symons St, Crystal Brook house. Picture: Brenton Edwards

They identified Ferris’ time working there as an officer as a key contributor to issues of mental health, including PTSD, that were present throughout his adult life.

“He (Ferris) did have mental health issues due to work incidents that led to PTSD among other issues when he was working at Woomera when it was operational,” the family member said.

“People compare Woomera workers’ trauma to Vietnam vet trauma.”

The close family member said “it was brutal” for Ferris dealing with the mental ramifications of working at the processing facility.

Sean Ferris walking his dog Buddy Picture: 7NEWS.

The Woomera Detention Centre closed in April 2003, with self-harm and widespread mental health issues reported from within the facility.

Fallout from the controversial detention centre included lawsuits from staff and detainees over working and living conditions at the centre, located 190 km northwest of Port Augusta.

Ferris’ relative said the after-effects of his time working there lingered on and impacted heavily on surrounding family members.

They believe there wasn’t enough done to monitor Ferris’ mental health issues and wish there was more support available during and in the aftermath of his time working at Woomera.

David Wallace, friend of Sean Ferris, with Buddy. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Sean Ferris. Picture: Facebook

“The mental health system let him slip through the cracks and was ineffective in helping him during the early stages between 2001-2002,” the family member said.

“I just want people to know that while he had issues, he wasn’t a monster.”

Mr Ferris’s dog Buddy, which was at the centre of an incident in Crystal Brook the day before he stabbing the two police officers, is safe and well, according to a friend of the cowardly attacker.

Buddy is now being cared for by Mr Ferris’s closest friend David Wallace who took the dog in following Wednesday’s deadly incident.

Mr Wallace claimed Buddy was just a big white fluffy dog and no threat to anyone.

“He’s not aggressive at all. Everyone knows Sean and everyone knows the dog, they know it’s friendly,” he said.

It is understood SAPOL officers were attending the Crystal Brook house over a domestic complaint about the occupant’s dog, a husky.