A coronial inquest has concluded that Jamie Ginn, a prominent leader of the Rebels motorcycle club, passed away in custody due to a cocaine overdose. This tragic incident occurred at the Perth Watch House on October 10, 2023, just a few hours following his arrest on charges related to firearms.

Ginn, aged 50, was detained by authorities around 5 PM. Upon his arrival at the facility, he underwent an evaluation conducted by a registered nurse alongside police officers. This standard procedure was part of the intake process to assess his condition before being admitted.

Following the assessment, Ginn was subjected to a strip search before being placed in a solitary cell. This measure was likely in accordance with protocol to ensure his safety and that of the facility.

Tragically, the situation took a dire turn when, at approximately 6:53 PM, authorities discovered Ginn lying on the floor of his cell. He seemed to have experienced a seizure, a critical medical emergency that led to the subsequent investigation of his untimely death.

At 6.53pm, Ginn was found on the cell floor, appearing to have suffered a seizure. 

He received medical aid but could not be saved and was declared dead at 8.05pm. 

A coronial inquest found his death was a result of cocaine toxicity. 

Coroner Michael Jenkin was unable to make any further findings of when and how the drug was ingested.

He also ruled that Ginn’s standard of supervision at the Watch House was poor after the cell control officer failed to notice the medical event for 15 minutes, but stopped short of saying it contributed to his death.

The coroner handed down seven recommendations, including a review into staffing levels, whether detainees should have to pass through a body scanner, the role of a cell control officer, and a review of overall CCTV and monitoring equipment.