Worksafe probes Victorian Coroner’s Court solicitor’s sudden death
WORKSAFE is investigating the sudden death of a Coroner’s Court solicitor amid recent complaints of a toxic culture at the court, with several senior staff understood to have recently resigned.
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WORKSAFE is probing the sudden death of a Coroner’s Court solicitor.
Solicitor Jess Wilby took her own life last week after an extended period of leave from the court.
Sources have told the Herald Sun Ms Wilby, aged in her 40s, was due to return to work following a period of stress leave.
PROBE INTO SUDDEN CORONER’S COURT SENIOR STAFFER DEATH
The reason for the leave remains unclear but there have been recent complaints of a toxic culture at the court.
Several senior staff are understood to have resigned recently.
A Worksafe spokeswoman confirmed inquiries were being made into Ms Wilby’s death.
The death is the third known suicide in less than 12 months within the state’s justice system.
It follows the tragic deaths of Victorian magistrates Stephen Myall, who died in March, and Jacinta Dwyer, who died last October.
STEPHEN MYALL, A MAGISTRATE AND MAN WHO CARED TOO MUCH
In a statement on Tuesday acting state coroner Iain West paid tribute to Ms Wilby as a valued colleague and friend.
“Jess was an exemplary solicitor, an understanding and supportive colleague and a wonderful warm, generous person who was much loved and respected by all who worked with her,” he said.
Ms Wilby assisted the coroner in high profile inquests including a probe into the death of teen Numan Haider who was killed by police he had tried to attack.
She was also the counsel assisting in the inquest into murder mystery of Margaret Penny and her hairdresser Claire Acocks who were killed in a Portland hair salon in 1991.
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