Latest news with #PatriciaIliev
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cause of Death Revealed for Woman, 57, Who Refused Medical Care for Nearly 4 Decades
Patricia Iliev, 57, weighed just 42 lbs. when she died at her home in Tasmania, Australia in March 2021NEED TO KNOW The cause of death for a woman who refused medical attention for close to four decades has been confirmed at an inquest in Tasmania, Australia Patricia Iliev died at age 57 at her home in the town of Sheffield in March 2021, from starvation, coroner Olivia McTaggart stated in an Aug. 5 report Coroner Olivia McTaggart concluded that Iliev could have likely benefited from medical treatment, adding that it could have saved her life, even in the later stagesThe cause of death for a woman who refused medical attention for close to four decades has been confirmed at an inquest in Australia. Patricia Iliev, from Tasmania, died at age 57 at her home in the town of Sheffield in March 2021, from starvation, coroner Olivia McTaggart stated in an official report dated Tuesday, Aug. 5. During an inquest at the Coroners Court in Hobart, the court heard that Iliev weighed around 42 lbs. when she died after being immobile on her couch in the months before her death and stopping eating during that time, the coroner stated. An autopsy was conducted by Dr. Donald Ritchey, who identified starvation as the primary cause of death, adding that Iliev had less than half the normal body mass index and "no subcutaneous body fat stores." A gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the stomach and advanced lung disease, caused by smoking, were listed as secondary causes of death. Per the Mayo Clinic, a "gastrointestinal stromal tumor, also called a GIST, is a type of cancer that begins in the digestive system. GISTs happen most often in the stomach and small intestine." "A GIST is a growth of cells that's thought to form from nerve cells in the walls of the digestive organs. The nerve cells play a part in the process that moves food through the body," the site adds. A pathology report cited that it was likely the tumor contributed to Iliev having a "depressed appetite." It stated that due to her battling an advanced diagnosis of the chronic lung condition emphysema, this meant she was "also at risk of wasting syndrome in which there may be severe weight loss." Multiple hearings into Iliev's death were previously held in the Tasmanian cities of Devonport and Launceston between May 2022 and September 2024, before findings were handed down in August 2025, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) stated. A previously released Magistrates Court of Tasmania Coronial Division filing regarding the inquest into Iliev's death, said that she'd "last received professional medical attention in 1988." "Since that time she had been well until several years ago when her back began giving her some pain and her mobility became increasingly restricted," the December 2023 document added. Iliev had been being cared for by her partner Philip Adams since 2020, and she hadn't left her home since late that year, the ABC reported, adding that this was due to her suffering "multiple painful back injuries." The inquest explored whether Adams' care could have contributed to Iliev's death, however, the coroner found that although he could have done more, ultimately he "did not do any act to maliciously" result in her dying, per the official report. Adams had given evidence stating that he'd found Iliev deceased on the couch after he'd spent a couple of hours in the garden, before he spent time mourning, as well as cleaning and dressing his partner before contacting a telephone health service. After authorities arrived at the scene in March 2021, Iliev was found to have a "severely emaciated and pallid appearance," the official report stated. During the inquest, Adams stated that Iliev was a very light eater and had never weighed more than around 77 lbs. since he'd known her, the report noted. He claimed she became "pretty much confined to the couch" as she found it easier to use a bedpan and bottle there instead of getting up and going to the restroom. In the six months before Iliev's death, she gradually decreased her food intake, the inquest heard, eventually having just one meal a day to limit the amount she'd have to use the bedpan or a plastic bag. Adams stated that his partner — who had previously fasted throughout her life — had told him in her final week, "Philip, I've decided to stop eating," adding that she'd said "I'll let you know" when questioned when she would eat again. Two to three days before her death, Iliev slipped into a deep sleep and was not responsive, per the report. Adams insisted he chose to follow his partner's wishes by not getting medical treatment for her, despite considering it. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Coroner Olivia McTaggart concluded that Iliev could have likely benefited from medical treatment, adding that it could have saved her life, even in the later stages. "Despite the difficulty in determining the facts surrounding Ms. Iliev's death, I am satisfied that Mr. Adams did not do any act to maliciously cause her death," the coroner said, per the report. "He clearly had affection for her, respected her wishes (or what he believed to be her wishes) and provided her food, water and assistance on the occasions she made requests," McTaggart went on, stating that it's possible mental illness played a part in Iliev's decision-making. The Coroners Court in Hobart didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis the original article on People
ABC News
06-08-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Coronial inquest into Patricia Iliev's starvation death finds partner didn't act maliciously
A Tasmanian woman weighed just 19.1 kilograms and had no subcutaneous body fat stores when she died of starvation, an inquest has heard. Patricia Iliev, 57, died in March 2021 at her home in Sheffield after being immobile on the couch for about eight weeks and having ceased eating during that time. Ms Iliev had received no medical attention since 1988 but had been cared for by her partner Philip Adams since 2020 after a back injury restricted her mobility. Over the last decades of her life, Ms Iliev suffered multiple painful back injuries which ultimately led to her buying mobility aids and no longer leaving her home from late 2020. A coronial inquest was held across multiple hearings at Devonport and Launceston between May 2022 and September 2024, with findings handed down in August 2025. It explored the circumstances of Ms Iliev's death and if any aspects of Mr Adams' care may have contributed to her passing. The coroner found Mr Adams could have done more, but ultimately did not do any act to maliciously cause her death. In the pre-inquest process, Mr Adams was told he had been identified as an interested party and adverse findings might be made against him. Mr Adams attempted to refuse to answer questions, claiming privilege against self-incrimination — but coroner Olivia McTaggart said he was not entitled to invoke the claim. In March 2024, Mr Adams appeared at the inquest in Devonport, but refused to go into the witness box or answer questions from lawyers. He was charged with one count of contempt of court and, after initially pleading not guilty, entered a guilty plea and apologised to the coroner. Mr Adams gave evidence that he found Ms Iliev deceased on the couch after coming in from spending a couple of hours in the garden. The inquest heard he spent several hours mourning, cleaning and dressing her before contacting a telephone health service. Paramedics and police who attended the scene described Ms Iliev as having a severely emaciated and pallid appearance. Starvation was identified as the primary cause of death, in an autopsy conducted by Dr Donald Ritchey. Dr Ritchey wrote that Ms Iliev had less than half the normal body mass index and that she "weighed only 19.1kg and had no subcutaneous body fat stores". A gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the stomach — a type of cancer — and advanced lung disease caused by smoking were listed as secondary causes of death. The pathology report said it was likely the tumour caused Ms Iliev to have a depressed appetite, and that individuals with advanced emphysema are also at risk of wasting syndrome — which can lead to severe weight loss. Among the witnesses to appear before the coronial inquest was Jennifer Sargeant, a local shopkeeper who would occasionally chat with Ms Iliev. The shokeeper described Ms Iliev as a "tiny and bird-like" person who was "frail", "always stooped to her shoulders" and who refused to see doctors for her back injury. Ms Sargeant said she asked police to conduct a welfare check on Ms Iliev in June 2018 after realising she had not seen the woman for more than six months. A second welfare check was then conducted on Ms Iliev in August 2019 — which was the last time anyone other than Mr Adams saw her alive. The inquest also heard a neighbour who lived next door to the couple for more than 14 years had very little to do with them and did not know their names. The inquest considered whether Ms Iliev was reliant on Mr Adams for her basic needs, including food, water and health care, and the adequacy of care he provided. It looked at if any aspects of the care contributed to her death, to what extent Mr Adams was following Ms Iliev's directions and whether she had any capacity to make decisions about her medical care. Mr Adams gave evidence Ms Iliev was a very light eater and had never weighed more than 35 kilograms in the time he had known her. He said she became "pretty much confined to the couch" as it was more comfortable and she found it easier to use a bedpan and bottle in the lounge room instead of the toilet. The inquiry heard in the six months leading up to her death, Ms Iliev gradually decreased her food intake to one meal a day to reduce the amount she had to use the bedpan and brush. Mr Adams said that in her final week, Ms Iliev told him: "Philip, I've decided to stop eating." He said they did not specify a time when she would resume eating, but she said: "I'll let you know." In written evidence, Mr Adams said it was not Ms Iliev's intention to die and that she had successfully used diet restriction throughout her life to achieve her desired health outcomes — including once completing a 15-day fast. The inquiry heard she slipped into a deep sleep two to three days before her death and was not responsive, was not talking properly and confused about the time of day. Mr Adams said he considered seeking medical treatment for his partner, but chose not to because he was aware she did not want any medical intervention. In handing down her findings, Ms McTaggart described the circumstances as a "sad and confronting case". She said it was clear from the evidence that Ms Iliev's back pain and other conditions could have been effectively treated through conventional medical treatment. Ms McTaggart said medical treatment could have saved Ms Iliev's life, even in the later stages. The coroner said if Ms Iliev had prepared an Advanced Care Directive which stated she did not wish to receive medical assistance, it would have greatly helped authorities and may have eliminated the need for a protracted public inquest. "As it stood, the only evidence available was from Mr Adams, and his evidence that her death was unexpected and unintentional is not credible," Ms McTaggart said. The coroner found it was implausible that Mr Adams was not aware of the severity of Ms Iliev's condition. "I do not accept to the requisite standard his evidence that, in her last days, Ms Iliev was able to express coherently or had decision-making capacity," Ms McTaggart said. Ms McTaggart was also critical of the way Mr Adams handled Ms Iliev's final week, suggesting he should have intervened to offer her food or get her help. But the coroner found Mr Adams did not act maliciously or deliberately allow her to die for financial gain. "Despite the difficulty in determining the facts surrounding Ms Iliev's death, I am satisfied that Mr Adams did not do any act to maliciously cause her death," Ms McTaggart said. The coroner said it was possible mental illness played a part in Ms Iliev's fasting. Ms Iliev's brother Kim Iliev was in Coroners Court as the findings were handed down. He said his sister and Mr Adams had lived a simple life. "They had an alternative lifestyle, ate wholefoods, vegetarian and regularly fasted, that was all part of their beliefs," he said. "They had a long and happy relationship."
