NSW aged care nurse found guilty of murdering two residents

Former nursing home employee Garry Steven Davis had pleaded not guilty to murdering two residents and attempting to kill another, but has been found guilty after a four-week trial.

Davis, 29, a team leader at the SummitCare nursing home in the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend had been trusted to care for the residents, but instead was accused of injecting them with large doses of insulin over two days in October 2013.

As a result, residents Gwen Fowler, 83, and Ryan Kelly, 80, died. Audrey Manuel, 91, recovered from her overdose, but has since died from unrelated causes.

None of the residents had been prescribed insulin and though all were diagnosed with dementia, they had been in relatively good health before their sudden deaths.

Ms Fowler had passed away first after becoming ill and at first, her death raised no suspicions.

But when Mrs Manuel and Mr Kelly also fell ill, with Mr Kelly dying ten days later, a doctor realized there were similarities between their deaths and ordered test results.

The Supreme Court Justice Robert Hulme said the case was circumstantial in the judge-only trial, but when the circumstances surrounding the events at the home were put together, he was able to reach a decision that was beyond reasonable doubt.

In his verdict, Justice Hulme said Davis had probably had the opportunity to commit the crimes and it was highly improbable that an intruder could have carried out the attacks.

In the committal documents given to the court, Davis was also described as lacking in empathy as well as being a compulsive liar and attention-seeker.

Investigations into his past discovered that he has been forced to leave, fired or deregistered from five out of the six facilities where he had previously worked.

He was also known to have injected other residents with insulin without authorisation and was found with needles and information about insulin when he was arrested.

In the trial, the court heard Davis had allegedly set up a Facebook page where he posted the comment: “I hate old people”.

They also heard Davis had sent two text messages to his colleagues in which he said two of the home’s residents would die.

His defence argued that the messages were simply black humour, but the Judge found that to not be the case.

He was still not able to determine a motive behind the killings however, with financial gain, revenge and other motives all ruled out.

Davis and his family were visibly upset and shocked at the verdict, with family members protesting his innocence outside of the courts.

Crown Prosecutor Lee Carr who tried the case has commended the police who conducted the 14-month investigation though, saying the result was welcome news for the victims’ families.

“I just think they’re so relieved to have closure and now have a reason for the loss of their loved ones,” he told the ABC.

Davis will now be sentenced on December 12 while SummitCare has since introduced a policy that stops team leaders from administering drugs such as insulin.

Popular Articles

View All Articles
Article Img
What makes a great retirement village manager?

As anyone who lives in a retirement village will tell you, the village manager is a central figure who is critical to the success of the village and the happiness and wellbeing of village residents. But there’s no doubt the village manager plays an essential role. So, what is the role of a retirement village manager?

Article Img
Retirement villages without exit fees? They’re happening!

Retirement villages without exit fees? They’re happening! Now, some of Australia’s largest retirement village operators are looking at new ways to pay for retirement villages that don’t include exit fees – indeed, there are calls for some exit fees to be banned.

Article Img
What sort of profits do retirement village owners make?

The number of Australians over the age of 75 is expected to increase by 70% over the next six years. The number of Australians over the age of 80 is expected to triple to more than 3.5 million over the next 40 years. As the number of older people in Australia surges, so too does demand for age-appropriate housing – such as retirement villages, which offer an affordable lifestyle, community, and ongoing health and wellness support.

Article Img
73% of Australians willing to sacrifice inheritance for aged care

Nearly three-quarters of all Australians are willing to sacrifice their own inheritance so their parents and grandparents can enjoy the retirement they deserve, according to a new report by B2B aged care service CompliSpace.

Article Img
Volunteers are the backbone of the aged care sector, and more are needed

Tens of thousands of people, of all ages, such as 90-year-old Lily Burns and 20-year-old Charlise Hannagan, volunteer in aged care homes. The Change Makers is the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week, 15 to 21st May, which celebrates the vital work of volunteers.

Article Img
What is the Future of Rental Retirement Villages?

Across Australia there are approximately 300 rental retirement villages – but few more are likely to be built, which is an unfortunate situation for older Australians. Rental retirement villages operate much like normal rentals, but they offer older Australian with limited financial means the opportunity of housing security, health and lifestyle support, and a welcoming and safe community.

Article Img
This is the food that you can get in residential aged care

Uniting NSW.ACT is aware of the criticism that is often levelled at the food served in residential aged care homes. The Not For Profit is passionate about the food served to residents and determined that as well meeting residents’ nutrition needs, their food looks and tastes delicious and as well as catering to their individual desires as much as possible.

Article Img
Unique test can predict if you have dementia up to nine years earlier

An international research team led by Queen Mary University of London, UK, has developed a new method for predicting dementia with an over 80 per cent accuracy and up to nine years before diagnosis. The new method provides a more accurate way to predict dementia than memory tests or measurements of brain shrinkage, two commonly used methods for diagnosing dementia.

A special thanks to our contributors

Icons
Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

Icons
Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

Icons
Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

Icons
Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

Icons
Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

Icons
Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.