A 95-year-old woman, Clare Nowland, was tasered by police on May 3, 2026, in Rosemeadow, Sydney. She died a week later from a brain bleed. This incident has raised serious concerns about police training and taser policies in New South Wales.
On the day of the incident, officers responded to a call from a surviving family member. The call followed a violent episode involving family members. Three people died in this incident, which police believe involved multiple types of weapons.
A 65-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man died at the scene. A 64-year-old man later died in the hospital. The arrested man, aged 32, allegedly left the scene before returning.
After Clare Nowland’s death, Officer Kristian White, who used the taser, was convicted of manslaughter but avoided jail time. This verdict has sparked public outcry regarding the appropriateness of using a taser on an elderly woman with dementia.
In response to this tragedy, NSW Police reviewed their taser policies. However, they concluded that no changes were necessary. Superintendent Grant Healey described the situation as tragic and unpredictable.
The upcoming inquest into Clare Nowland’s death will focus on police training concerning taser use. Family members have expressed their disbelief at the actions taken by officers during the incident.
Mick Nowland, Clare’s son, stated, “I still can’t understand why either of them would think that their actions were appropriate.” He emphasized that such an event should never have occurred.
This incident underscores ongoing discussions about police practices in handling vulnerable individuals, especially those in aged care facilities. The community is awaiting further developments as investigations continue.
