25/05/2023, 12:59 Clare Nowland, 95-year-old woman tasered at Cooma nursing home, dies in hospital - ABC News

Clare Nowland, 95-year-old woman tasered at Cooma

nursing home, dies in hospital
Posted Wed 24 May 2023 at 9:42pm , updated Thu 25 May 2023 at 11:16am

Clare Nowland, 95, was hospitalised in a critical condition after the incident with police.
(Supplied: NSW Police)

An elderly great-grandmother tasered by police during an incident at a Cooma nursing home last
week has died.

NSW Police confirmed Clare Nowland, 95, died Key points:

"peacefully" in hospital just after 7pm on
Wednesday, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Clare Nowland, 95, died "peacefully"
in hospital on Wednesday evening
Ms Nowland, who had dementia, was hospitalised in
She was tasered by NSW police at
a critical condition after falling and fracturing her
her Cooma nursing home last week
skull during the confrontation with officers at
Yallambee Lodge on May 17. A 33-year-old constable has been
charged in relation to the incident
Police said they had been called to the facility and
found Ms Nowland holding a serrated steak knife, and she using a walking frame to approach them
before the taser was deployed.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ms Nowland's family thanked staff at Cooma Hospital for taking care of
the 95-year-old.

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25/05/2023, 12:59 Clare Nowland, 95-year-old woman tasered at Cooma nursing home, dies in hospital - ABC News

"With great sadness, the Nowland family share that our beloved Clare passed away this evening," they
shared.

"Our beautiful mum, nana and great-grandmother."

NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his condolences to the Nowland family in a press conference on
Thursday.

"Obviously this is a very traumatic event and would have been particularly sad for the family," he said.

Mr Minns expressed his condolences the morning after Mrs Nowland's death was
announced. (ABC News)

Charges laid down hours prior

Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, was charged earlier on Wednesday evening with recklessly
causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.

He is suspended from duty on full pay and is due to appear in court on July 5.

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The 33-year-old was charged on Wednesday prior to Ms Nowland's death. (Facebook:

Monaro Police District)

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb earlier said it was possible the charges against Senior
Constable White could be upgraded if circumstances were to change.

"In NSW you're innocent until proven guilty, [and] he is afforded the same as any other resident," she
said.

"It is possible [the charges could be upgraded], it depends on what happens."

Police force under scrutiny

Commissioner Webb previously said she had not seen the police body-cam footage of the incident.

The commissioner said she wanted to review the footage when she had a clearer picture of what had
happened.

Pressure has been growing for NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley to view the vision, over concerns
public confidence in the force has eroded.

Mr Minns said he continues to have confidence in both Commissioner Webb and the police
minister as inquiries take place.

"It's very important for police to be able to do their job and investigation shouldn't be hindered by
political interference," Mr Minns said.

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"I would reassure the people of NSW that this incident has been
investigated by senior, experienced detectives from the homicide
squad and it's now resulted in charges."

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