Tragic death of mum outside Coles sparks urgent call for a public inquiry
Content warning: This story deals with distressing themes. Please be advised.
Sadly, a mother from Casino, New South Wales, Jamikka Olive–also known as Jamikka Binge–died from a suspected seizure at a Coles parking lot on July 28.
Now, her family wants answers, and they are calling for a public inquiry on the circumstances leading to her untimely death.
It all started last June 23, when Olive was at Casino’s RSM Club to attend a fundraiser for a local football club. According to a police report, Candice Drew, 21, allegedly assaulted her in the club’s bathroom. The police claimed that when Olive tried to leave, Drew dragged her back by her hair and continued assaulting her.
Olive was hospitalised after the said attack, and the police took out an apprehended violence order (AVO) to prevent Drew from coming into contact with the victim.
Five weeks later, the Olive family said a group of people went to their house to intimidate Olive. Later that day, Olive died after suffering a suspected seizure in a car outside the town's local Coles supermarket.
Since then, her family has been calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances around her death. Olive’s great-aunt, Paula Coghill, said they want to know if the incident at the RSM Club and her death are linked and if there was any correlation with the injuries she sustained in the attack.
There are also claims regarding the medical treatment Olive received after the alleged initial attack. The ambulance took almost an hour to arrive, which led her brother to drive her to Casino and District Memorial Hospital instead.
Coghill mentioned that Olive was sent home with stitches to her eye and paracetamol, despite having widespread bruising and injuries.
Her great-aunt feels the case requires further examination. 'Jamikka was terrified for her life and so was her family,' she said.
'We couldn’t understand why she wasn’t hospitalised, why she wasn’t kept in. We want some accountability, we want some answers, and we’re seeking a public inquiry,' Coghill added.
Currently, the police have not associated the June 23 assault with Olive’s death. But the police believed that Drew breached her AVO on July 28 and has been arrested.
Drew faced court last July 29 and has been granted bail to live in Coffs Harbour. She is scheduled to appear in court in September.
The state coroner will determine the cause of Olive’s death, and the results of this inquiry are eagerly anticipated by her family and friends.
The Olive family mourns her loss, with her great aunt saying: 'Nobody smiled like Jamikka, and if you were coming towards her, she made you feel like the most important person.'
Our thoughts are with Jamikka Olive's friends and family. We hope they find some solace and closure soon.
Dear members, what do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Sadly, a mother from Casino, New South Wales, Jamikka Olive–also known as Jamikka Binge–died from a suspected seizure at a Coles parking lot on July 28.
Now, her family wants answers, and they are calling for a public inquiry on the circumstances leading to her untimely death.
Olive was hospitalised after the said attack, and the police took out an apprehended violence order (AVO) to prevent Drew from coming into contact with the victim.
Five weeks later, the Olive family said a group of people went to their house to intimidate Olive. Later that day, Olive died after suffering a suspected seizure in a car outside the town's local Coles supermarket.
Since then, her family has been calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances around her death. Olive’s great-aunt, Paula Coghill, said they want to know if the incident at the RSM Club and her death are linked and if there was any correlation with the injuries she sustained in the attack.
There are also claims regarding the medical treatment Olive received after the alleged initial attack. The ambulance took almost an hour to arrive, which led her brother to drive her to Casino and District Memorial Hospital instead.
Coghill mentioned that Olive was sent home with stitches to her eye and paracetamol, despite having widespread bruising and injuries.
'We couldn’t understand why she wasn’t hospitalised, why she wasn’t kept in. We want some accountability, we want some answers, and we’re seeking a public inquiry,' Coghill added.
Currently, the police have not associated the June 23 assault with Olive’s death. But the police believed that Drew breached her AVO on July 28 and has been arrested.
Drew faced court last July 29 and has been granted bail to live in Coffs Harbour. She is scheduled to appear in court in September.
The state coroner will determine the cause of Olive’s death, and the results of this inquiry are eagerly anticipated by her family and friends.
The Olive family mourns her loss, with her great aunt saying: 'Nobody smiled like Jamikka, and if you were coming towards her, she made you feel like the most important person.'
Key Takeaways
- A New South Wales mum, Jamikka Olive, died of a suspected seizure outside a Coles supermarket five weeks after allegedly being assaulted.
- The Olive family have called for a public inquiry to investigate the circumstances around her death, including the possible link between her death and the alleged assault.
- Candice Drew, 21, who Olive had an altercation with, has been charged with the June 23 assault but not with Olive's death. Drew was also alleged to have breached an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) on the day of Olive's death.
- The Olive family has also raised concerns over the medical care Olive received following the alleged assault, including her quick discharge from the hospital despite widespread bruising and injuries.
Dear members, what do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!