Cooma: Granddaughter of dementia patient Tasered by police speaks out
Grieving relatives including Kylie Paske, left, and Jaimie Lloyd, right, held a vigil for Claire Nowland (centre) (Picture: Daily Mail Australia / ABC)
The granddaughter of a 95-year-old dementia patient who died after being Tasered by police has broken her silence over the tragedy.
Clare Nowland died in hospital surrounded by family around 7pm on Wednesday a week after officers were called to an incident at her nursing home in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia.
Mrs Nowland was Tasered after she was found holding a steak knife by staff at Yallambee Lodge, Daily Mail Australia reports.
Her granddaughter, Kylie Paske, became the first family member to speak out on Tuesday, aside from an earlier formal statement asking for privacy.
She posted a picture of a floral tribute from a friend on Facebook, using the hashtags #policetaseredmynana and #howdarethey.
Mrs Nowland was still fighting and holding onto life, she posted on Tuesday.
Yesterday Ms Paske shared a picture of a sunset along with the caption Bye my nana.
Mrs Nowland is said to have been Tasered in the chest and back by Senior Constable Kristian White, who was among officers called to de-escalate the scene.
The stun gun shot caused her to fall backwards and suffer serious head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
Ms Paske revealed her thoughts in a Facebook post (Picture: Kylie Paske / Facebook)
Senior Constable White has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault, shortly before Mrs Nowland died.
He has been suspended with pay following the incident.
Family members including great-granddaughter, Jaimie Lloyd, held a week-long vigil for the great-grandmother, with a priest understood to have conducted a Catholic bedside mass for the life-long churchgoer.
Police confirmed Mrs Nowlands death in a statement issued on Wednesday night.
It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight, the statement said.
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Mrs Nowland was hailed as a loving and gentle-natured matriarch (Picture: Yvette Kelly)
Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.
Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community.
Relatives paid tribute to the loving and gentle-natured matriarch, describing their profound love and affection for our Mum, Nana and Great Grandmother.
They have also thanked people in Cooma, together with those across Australia and the world for the outpouring of support.
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Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 12:17 pm