Overview

• Coroner Paul Lawrie concluded that Phillip Reidy intentionally ingested cyanide during his July 2024 arrest, resulting in his death at the scene.
• The coroner cleared the arresting officers of negligence, stating they could not have anticipated or prevented Reidy’s actions.
• Key information about Reidy’s prior cyanide threats, reported by his partner earlier that day, was not relayed to the officers involved in his arrest.
• Reidy purchased 250 grams of cyanide in July 2023 by falsifying documents to exploit regulatory exemptions in New South Wales.
• The findings call for a unified national framework to address inconsistencies in the sale and oversight of schedule seven poisons like cyanide.