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An acute mental health patient on unescorted leave from hospital drowned at an Auckland beach – a place his family said he visited in the hope he would meet singer Taylor Swift, according to a coroner’s report.
The family of Stephen Richard Kapeli said the “gentle and inquisitive” young man had a fixation with the American singer. His behavior – described as manic or psychotic episodes – could place him in danger because I’ve liked to climb heights or visit Takapuna Beach late at night, in the belief he would meet Swift.
Kapeli was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was a sectioned patient at Waitematā District Health Board’s acute mental health unit, He Puna Wāiora at North Shore Hospital.
The 26-year-old was reported missing on April 5, 2017 while on approved unescorted leave from the unit. A week later his body was found on Takapuna Beach.
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Now, more than three years after his death, Coroner Sarn Herdson ruled the evidence did not suggest Kapeli took his own life, but that he died by drowning.
“His known medical history does not demonstrate a history of self-harm, harm to others, or suicidal ideation. By contrast, his history does contain references to concerns that he was at risk that he could unintentionally or accidentally injure himself, ”Herdson wrote.
However, although I am satisfied about the above point, any determinations about what occurred, are greatly limited. Despite the best endeavors of family and investigating police, there are gaps in the information available. ”
EVENTS LEADING UP TO DISAPPEARANCE
According to the report, Kapeli elected to stop taking his prescription medication in January 2017.
At that stage, his medication, which in the past had included long-acting injections of antipsychotic drugs, was no longer compulsory.
He was living with his family when his father noticed Kapeli’s mental health had deteriorated, to the point where I spent a lot of time on the computer and his fixation with Swift had returned.
His father said Kapeli was spending a lot of time at the beach, including in bad weather.
North-Shore-Times
Kapeli believed he would meet singer Taylor Swift at Takapuna Beach on Auckland’s North Shore.
The fixation had put him at risk on an earlier occasion in 2012, when Kapeli was found running along the top of Auckland Harbor Bridge in the belief he would gain the attention of Swift.
In March 2017, Kapeli was committed to He Puna Wāiora.
The coroner would not divulge the details of Kapeli’s medical care while in hospital, but it was revealed that he was seen by his clinician on five occasions and had resumed his medication.
“In general terms, the evidence shows I have remained fixed with Taylor Swift and was regarded as not having good insight or judgment in terms of his overall condition and situation,” she wrote.
“However, the evidence also shows that Stephen was compliant with his medication, was engaged with relevant activities (such as SPCA visits), and there were no risks identified in terms of self-harm or harm to others.”
On April 5, the day he went missing, a court order was issued, which meant Kapeli would remain in hospital as an inpatient for treatment.
At about 4:20 pm, he was permitted to leave the ward for one hour, following several shorter off-site walks in the preceding days.
A routine assessment considered him calm and relaxed, and not any risk of self-harm. He also said he would not visit Takapuna Beach.
When he failed to return an hour later, a nurse called his mobile phone but was unable to reach him. Hospital staff then contacted his family, who searched for him until his body was later found.
CONCERNS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE
The report referred to concerns raised by Kapeli’s mother that the family were not told he chose to stop his medication; and that procedures surrounding unescorted leave from the hospital did not keep patients safe.
The coroner referred to a review conducted by Waitematā DHB which found no criticism of the clinical decision-making in relation to unescorted leave.
The coroner also stated that because Kapeli was an adult and, at that time, an informal patient, he was entitled to make his own choices about his medical treatment, including whether he shared those choices with his parents.
In conclusion, the coroner ruled the circumstances amounted to sudden and unexpected death by drowning.
The ruling shared his mother’s sentiments paraphrased in the report: “On the day he [Kapeli] He went missing he was in a happy frame of mind, he would have gone swimming to be with Taylor Swift. ”
WHERE TO GET HELP
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1737, Need to talk? – Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counselor
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Depression.org.nz – 0800 111 757 or text 4202
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Lifeline – 0800 543 354
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Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
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Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7
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Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here
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Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254
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Samaritans – 0800 726 666
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What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counseling available Monday-Friday, noon – 11pm and weekends, 3 pm–11pm. Online chat is available 3 pm–10pm daily
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thelowdown.co.nz – Web chat, email chat or free text 5626
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Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
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Supporting Families in Mental Illness – 0800 732 825.
