Unexplained death of Port Augusta woman, 26, declared major crime by SA Police

Police have launched a major investigation after a 26-year-old woman who had a serious fall in her Port Augusta home died in hospital.

Major Crime detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26-year-old woman at a Port Augusta home.

Police have launched an investigation after a young woman suffering “significant physical and intellectual disabilities” died on Monday in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The Port Augusta woman, 26, experienced a serious fall on October 24 at her Edinburgh Terrace home address – where she lived with her mother – and emergency services took her to the local hospital.

Following the fall, in which it is unclear if the mum was at home, the young woman was unable to be returned to her chair, police said.

Paramedics also identified the woman as suffering from significantly infected wounds, as well as “open wounds and sores”.

However, the woman’s condition kept deteriorating to a point where she had to be flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital a day after being admitted.

Despite efforts of the medical staff, the woman died on October 28.

Officer in charge of the Major Crime Investigation Branch Des Bray said police have found “indicators” of criminal neglect that led to the death of the woman.

“There’s significant indicators present in the investigation at this stage of criminal neglect but it is unclear at this stage if that criminal neglect caused the death or whether the death is caused by serious underlying health issues,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Bray also added that although the woman “required ongoing care and support” her caregivers had not applied her to be receiving help from any government agency.

“The disabilities that the victim had were of such that should would have been an ideal person to be under the NDIS and to receive whatever other support was available from any other agency,” he said.

“Her physical and intellectual disabilities are such that she needs adult care for the duration of her life, and although she’s 26, her intellectual capability is very, very much lower than that.”

Additionally, Mr Bray described the condition of the woman’s home as a “squalor”.

“The house is not fit for human habitation,” he said.

“I just think for anybody in the community, it’s just terribly sad that any person could live in these conditions in 2024.”

Major Crime detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26-year-old woman at a Port Augusta home. Picture: 7NEWS

Major Crime detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26-year-old woman at a Port Augusta home. Picture: 7NEWS

Major Crime detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26-year-old woman at a Port Augusta home. Picture: 7NEWS

Major Crime detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26-year-old woman at a Port Augusta home. Picture: 7NEWS

Major Crime is leading the investigation, and they are being supported by Forensic Response Section and Port Augusta CIB.

They have already started to search the home, as well as seize medical records from a local doctor and the hospital for review.

Mr Bray has urged anyone “who knows the victim” and “that had raised concerns about her care” to contact the police.

In the meantime, Mr Bray said they will try to determine if anyone os responsible for the young woman’s death.

“The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death,” he said.

“Obviously mum lives with her daughter and obviously supports her but there may be other people who had a role in providing care or who should have been providing care … we won’t jump to conclusions as to who is solely criminally liable.”

The family of the young woman has been co-operating with police.

Originally published as Unexplained death of Port Augusta woman, 26, declared major crime by SA Police