Feb 12 • 05:36 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Murderer Martin Leach had to fight for end-of-life wishes, coroner finds

Martin Leach, an infamous double murderer, struggled with corrections officials to uphold his end-of-life wishes prior to his death in 2024.

Martin Leach, a notorious double murderer and rapist, spent over four decades imprisoned and faced significant health issues leading up to his death at the age of 65 in 2024. While incarcerated at the Holtze Correctional Centre in Darwin, Leach's deteriorating condition led him to fight against NT Corrections to ensure that his end-of-life decision—a clear desire not to be resuscitated—was honored. This struggle raised serious questions about the rights of prisoners to make personal medical decisions, particularly concerning life and death situations.

The Northern Territory Coroner, Elizabeth Armitage, investigated his case posthumously and found that Leach's battle to uphold his Advance Personal Plan was indicative of broader systemic issues within the correctional system. Her findings highlight a pressing need for clearer policies on how to handle end-of-life requests from prisoners who may have similar plans. Such recommendations aim to protect the dignity and autonomy of inmates, particularly those facing terminal illnesses or severe health challenges.

📡 Similar Coverage