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Southern Cross Care: Mario Amato charged with manslaughter over nursing home death

Mario Amato, 60, has faced court charged over the death of an 89-year-old woman in a Canberra aged care home in 2018.

Mario Amato, 60, of Melba in the ACT, leaves court after pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Picture: Craig Dunlop
Mario Amato, 60, of Melba in the ACT, leaves court after pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Picture: Craig Dunlop

A brain damaged 60-year-old former resident of a Canberra aged care home, who once described the facility as “not a place” for people like him, has been charged with the manslaughter of another resident.

Mario Amato, 60, of Melba in the ACT, leaves court after pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Picture: Craig Dunlop
Mario Amato, 60, of Melba in the ACT, leaves court after pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Picture: Craig Dunlop

Mario Amato, now of Melba in the ACT, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with manslaughter, more than 18 months on from the death of his alleged victim.

Amato pleaded not guilty.

In a statement, police said they will allege both Amato and his alleged victim were living at an aged care home in Campbell in 2018.

It is understood the aged care home was Southern Cross Care.

Police allege Amato assaulted the woman, causing injuries including a fractured hip.

The woman died in hospital just over three weeks later and Amato was charged after what investigators described as an “extensive” investigation.

In the year after the alleged assault of the woman, Amato was quoted by The Canberra Times as saying that aged care homes were “not a place for young people” like him.

Amato told the newspaper he had returned to work as an accountant, felt “fantastic” about living in his own home, and planned to holiday in Europe this year.

He returns to court at a later date.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/canberra-star/hyperlocal/canberra-mario-amato-charged-with-manslaughter-over-death-at-southern-cross-care-nursing-home-in-2018/news-story/40e556e01751bc17985280e2da94b557