Amanda DUNN · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 23 March 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Amanda DUNN. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 29 July 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was ‘suicide while suffering anxiety and depression’ with the cause of Ms Dunn’s death being ‘mixed drug toxicity’.

Amanda Dunn died at home on 21 March 2021 from a massive self-administered overdose of prescribed medication. She had a history of mental illness and also had caring responsibilities but a major reason for her fatal actions was an ongoing problem with neighbours.

Family members told me that for a period of about two years prior to her death Amanda had received a lot of aggravation from a set of neighbours. Police were contacted several times but took no action. The evidence I heard clearly seemed to amount to harassment. Prior to the inquest I was not aware of the full extent of the concerns and had not requested evidence from the police on this (PC ████████ gave evidence about the circumstances of the death itself). I realise therefore that I have only heard one side of the story but there is a real concern that police are seeking to brush such incidents under the carpet and not taking them sufficiently seriously. Clearly, I do not want another death reported to me of a similar nature.