Latest news with #HugoDiazKnox
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
Family mourns NSW Riverina man's death in custody from likely cocaine overdose
The family of a southern NSW man who died in police custody hours after he was arrested following a positive roadside drug test has labelled their loss as "worse than our worst nightmare". Griffith man Hugo Diaz Knox, 25, died less than four hours after his arrest by NSW Highway Patrol officers along Burley Griffin Way at Stockinbingal in the Riverina on September 30, 2022. On Thursday, his mother Virgina told the inquest at Wagga Courthouse her son "loved his family more than anything". "We are facing worse than our worst nightmare. Living without our child, our hearts are shattered," she said. She recalled one of her last memories with her son when he came over to her place with his children for dinner. "He was always in a hurry, [but] … that night he stayed for hours," she said. She also thanked police for their condolences to the family. "Nothing will bring our son home, and we all make mistakes, but we forgive," she said. Reading a statement for her brother Jose, Mr Diaz Knox's sister Katie said "not a single day goes by without a thought of him". His brother Adonis also reflected on his grief. "Nothing I ever say will ever bring my little brother back, but I continue to pray justice will be served," he said. Katie said the incident had shaken her faith in law enforcement. Earlier in the inquest, Constable Amanda Bittman became emotional on the witness stand, revealing she did not feel the need to constantly supervise Mr Diaz Knox due to his "polite and compliant" nature. The inquest previously heard concerns Mr Diaz Knox was not adequately supervised following his arrest — contrary to police procedure requiring constant face-to-face contact with persons in custody. She expressed condolences to his family and said she thought about that day regularly. "I really struggled with how just a simple vehicle stop could turn into an absolute tragedy in what was a horrific day," she said. Police pulled Mr Diaz Knox over shortly after 6pm on September 30, and after testing positive to cocaine, he was arrested and taken to Cootamundra police station. Once there, his condition deteriorated and he suffered seizures, before passing away at Cootamundra Hospital shortly after 9:30pm. An expert later found his cause of death was likely due to acute cocaine toxicity. The inquest previously heard Mr Diaz Knox likely ingested two bags of what was believed to be a large amount of cocaine after he was arrested. On Tuesday, Senior Constable Cameron Smith told the inquest he recalled hearing Mr Diaz Knox "sniffing and snorting air through his nostrils", while on duty at Cootamundra Police Station on the night of the man's death. However, he said this did not alert him to that fact that he may have taken drugs, despite seeing white crumbs on the floor of the man's cell. On arrival at the police station, officers also found a white substance on the floor of the police vehicle Mr Diaz Knox was placed in. The inquest has been adjourned while awaiting further evidence about CCTV footage in the rear of police vehicles.
ABC News
04-08-2025
- ABC News
Inquest hears police did not adequately supervise man who fatally ingested cocaine in custody
An inquest into the death of a southern NSW man has heard he likely died of cocaine poisoning after ingesting bags believed to contain large quantities of the drug while in police custody. Griffith man Hugo Diaz Knox, 25, died just hours after his arrest by NSW Highway Patrol officers along Burley Griffin Way at Stockinbingal in the Riverina on September 30, 2022. Police pulled Mr Diaz Knox over shortly after 6pm and after testing positive to cocaine he was arrested and taken to Cootamundra police station. Once there his condition deteriorated and he suffered seizures before he was taken by ambulance to Cootamundra Hospital. He suffered a cardiac arrest soon after arrival and despite a prolonged effort to administer CPR he could not be revived and died at 9:39pm. An expert later found his cause of death was likely due to acute cocaine toxicity. On Monday the inquest into his death began in the Wagga Wagga Courthouse. It heard Mr Diaz Knox was found to have ingested two bags of what likely contained "large quantities" of cocaine. Officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Julia Bradley, said she believed Mr Diaz Knox had ingested the bags while he was in police custody. "It's my opinion the possibility, the opportunity, to ingest the bags of cocaine happened either during the search of … [Mr Diaz Knox's] vehicle or on … the 15 to 20 minute journey from Stockinbingal to the Cootamundra Police Station," she told the inquest. The court heard concerns Mr Diaz Knox was not adequately supervised following his arrest — contrary to police procedure which required officers to maintain constant face to face contact with persons in custody. Shortly after his arrival at Cootamundra Police Station police suspected he had taken an illicit substance in his cell. Taking the witness stand, on-duty Sergeant Hannah Bloomfield recalled colleague Constable Adam Dunford say Mr Diaz Knox had just done a "line" in the dock. The court heard that according to a police manual at the time that they were required to seek medical attention immediately when suspected persons swallowed drugs or ingested a harmful substance. However, Sergeant Bloomfield told the court there was no discussion between officers at the time whether medical attention should be sought. Counsel Assisting Matthew McAuliffe told the inquest a call was only made to police some 22 minutes later after an officer observed blood on Mr Diaz Knox's nose. During proceedings Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie paid tribute to Mr Diaz Knox. "He was a much loved father, partner, brother and friend," she said. Mr Diaz Knox's parents, brothers and sister were in court for the first day of the inquest. "I would like to extend my personal condolences to each of you for the loss of Hugo," Ms Baptie said. "I hope this inquest will assist you in providing the answers to the many questions I'm sure you will have."
