Coroner overturns 90-year-old suicide ruling for Sydney police officer
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 04:02 · Archive
A New South Wales coroner has overturned the suicide ruling in the 1935 death of police constable Leslie Andrew Nash.
Constable First Class Leslie Andrew Nash died at Hurstville police station in Sydney's south on 15 April 1935. His death was ruled a suicide at the time, a verdict that brought what the family described as 'disgrace and shame' and affected them across generations.
The suicide ruling had serious consequences. Nash's widow Katie, who was pregnant with their sixth child at the time of his death, was denied a police pension. This left her without adequate financial support and reliant on the generosity of relatives to provide food and clothing for the family.
Nash's family never accepted the suicide ruling. His son Peter, who was nearly two years old when his father died, later retired and devoted himself to overturning the verdict. Working alongside his sister Alma, Peter pursued a lengthy campaign that has now succeeded. Deputy State Coroner Judge Harriet Grahame found there was insufficient evidence to determine how Nash died, overturning the original ruling.
The coroner has recommended to the New South Wales Commissioner of Police that Nash be considered for inclusion on the police Roll of Honour, which commemorates members of the NSW Police Force who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
How it is being reported
- Historic Sydney police death ruling overturned as coroner opens path to honour rollA police officer’s family endured nine decades of “disgrace and shame” over the way he died. Now a coroner has finally lifted the cloud over Leslie Nash’s death.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 03:30
- Historic Sydney police death ruling overturned as coroner opens path to honour rollA police officer’s family endured nine decades of “disgrace and shame” over the way he died. Now a coroner has finally lifted the cloud over Leslie Nash’s death.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 03:29
In this story: Leslie Andrew Nash · Harriet Grahame · Hurstville police station · NSW Police Force
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