Violent protests over ‘natural causes’ death

An Indigenous woman’s death in custody that sparked protests in Brisbane CBD on Friday was the result of natural causes, a police investigation has found.

Protesters are arrested during a march through the Brisbane CBD on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

An Indigenous woman’s death in custody that sparked protests in Brisbane CBD on Friday was the result of natural causes, a police investigation has found.

Demonstrators vandalised police headquarters and held up traffic in Brisbane’s CBD, before holding a rally in King George Square over the death of the 49-year-old woman, who had died at the Roma Street Watchhouse on Thursday.

Eighteen people were arrested across the city on charges including wilful damage, obstructing traffic and obstructing police as the investigation by the Queensland Police’s Ethical Standards Command was under way. Protesters smeared red handprints on the police HQ, claiming officers had “blood on their hands”.

Protesters wave signs during the march. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Police issued a statement on Friday afternoon saying an ­autopsy had determined that the woman, who had been arrested on Sunday for drug and property offences, died of natural causes.

At a press conference, Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd ­offered his condolences and said investigations were continuing.

“A post-mortem examination has been conducted and those examinations … indicate the death was by natural causes,” Assistant Commissioner Codd said.

“The detail of any underlying health scenarios and situations related to the woman will be examined in a very detailed fashion by independent entities.”

The woman was arrested on Sunday and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday on property and drug-related charges. She was to be remanded in custody until October 7 and was awaiting a transfer to a correctional facility.

A woman is arrested during the march. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Following the findings, the planned protest on Friday evening at King George Square was changed to a vigil, according to those in attendance.

Assistant Commissioner Codd said a majority of people protested peacefully, but the “language” and “actions” of some — likely ­inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests overseas — was not grounded in reality.

“Some of the vitriol, the hyperbole that was used by the protesters, simply has no reality,” he said.

“It is not acceptable that property be damaged, the taxpayer’s dollar has been damaged here and graffiti and other damage to police HQ and also vehicles.”