Tammy Shipley drank 67 glasses of water before her death in custody from water intoxication, inquest hears

The Guardian World

by Sarah Collard Indigenous affairs correspondent

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Tammy Shipley, a 47-year-old Indigenous Australian woman and mother of five, died in custody at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre in New South Wales on December 20, 2022. According to a coronial inquest, Shipley was recorded drinking at least 67 cups of water over 12 hours before her death due to water intoxication. She had been detained on remand after being arrested for minor shoplifting charges. The case has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding her detention and treatment while in custody. The coroner is examining whether prison staff were informed about Shipley’s known acute mental health conditions, despite previous arrests under the Mental Health Act. This failure to communicate critical information may have contributed to her tragic death. Shipley’s case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of Indigenous Australians within the criminal justice system and the lack of adequate support for those with mental health issues. Indigenous Australians are overrepresented in prisons and often face systemic barriers to accessing proper healthcare and social services. Her death has drawn attention to the urgent need for reform in how mental health conditions are managed within correctional facilities. The incident also underscores the dangers of water intoxication, a condition that occurs when an individual consumes excessive amounts of water too quickly, leading to electrolyte imbalances and potentially fatal consequences. Shipley’s case has sparked calls for greater oversight of prison conditions and better training for staff to recognize and respond to mental health crises. Tammy Shipley’s death is a stark reminder of the intersectional challenges faced by Indigenous Australians in the justice system, particularly when mental health issues are involved. Her story adds to growing concerns about the lack of support for vulnerable individuals in custody and the need for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/23/2026