Sunshine Coast police investigate Tewantin couple’s death
Police are investigating the suspected double suicide deaths of an elderly couple in a Noosa riverside suburb, after a call from the public. Warning: Confronting content
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Police are investigating the sudden death of an elderly couple in a Noosa riverside suburb.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said police were called to a Tewantin home on Tuesday, October 24, about 5pm, by a member of the community.
“An elderly couple has passed away in what is believed at this time to be a double suicide,” he said.
The police officer said the couple was aged in their 80s and late-70s.
“There are nil suspicious circumstances at this time,” Detective Inspector Toohey said.
The deaths follow a murder-suicide pact at a Caloundra West home in March last year.
Sunshine Coast woman Sonja Kovacevic, 48, and Browns Plains man Barry Houston, 52 were found dead by police during a welfare check.
The woman made a call to police shortly before the incident in what appeared to be a carefully planned pact, advising officers of her intention to end her life.
It was understood the pair had met online, connecting via social media and had met up with the intention of ending their lives.
In 2022, there were 3,249 suicide deaths in Australia, with an age-standardised rate of 12.3 deaths per 100,000 population. The rate for 2022 is a slight increase from the rate recorded for 2021.
Despite its beautiful location, the Sunshine Coast, particularly Noosa, has some higher suicide rates than other regions, particularly those in the capital cities.
The rate of suicide in the Noosa hinterland, for example is 23.5 per 100,000 people with 23 deaths over a five-year period.
The Burnett region has recorded 71 deaths and has the highest rate of suicide in Queensland with 30.4 per 100,000.
Far North Queensland has recorded 33 deaths or 23.2 per 100,000, while Outback North Queensland has 32 deaths or 20.2 deaths per 100,000.
The Central Highlands has had 33 deaths or 23.4 per 100,000.
Former Sunshine Coast mental health expert, Professor John Mendoza, who lost his own nephew to mental illness has long campaigned for better services in Australia, particularly in regional areas.
He said twice as many people were dying each year by their own handcompared to road toll deaths.
Jeff Mendoza took his own life within 30 hours of being released from a hospital.
The Sunshine Coast professor quit his position as chief adviser on mental health to the Rudd government in 2010 over its inaction.
There are now more than 150 Headspace centres in Australia, catering specifically for young people struggling with mental health issues.
If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call triple-0.
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