Footage released in probe of ‘malnourished’ man’s death
Authorities investigating the death of a “seriously malnourished” man with Down syndrome have released footage showing his living conditions.
Police have released footage of the living conditions of a non-verbal man with Down syndrome who weighed just 29 kilograms when he died, as authorities identify his caregiver as a person of interest.
Isaac Oar, 56, was pronounced dead at an Alice Street address in Ayr, south of Townsville, on August 10, 2023.
Queensland Police are investigating Mr Oar’s care and treatment and have made a renewed public appeal for information.
In a video released on Thursday, officers can be seen walking through a dwelling in 2023 cluttered with belongings stacked on top of each other.
Entries to rooms within the home are blocked by boxes with objects spilling out of bags and containers.
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Police allege Isaac Oar’s condition when he died stemmed from years of neglect. Photo: Queensland Police
Police are asking members of the Burdekin community to come forward with information about Mr Oar’s care and treatment.
“Isaac was found seriously malnourished – he was only 29 kilos at the time of his death,” Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd told reporters on Thursday.
“He was being cared for by a family member.
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“He hadn’t been or received any professional medical treatment in well over a decade so it makes the investigation quite complex.
“We do believe people would have had contact with the family members, would have had contact with the house at times during the years preceding his death, and we believe that those people may be able to assist us.”
Police allege Mr Oar’s condition stemmed from years of neglect.
Det Insp Shepherd said Mr Oar’s primary caregiver, his older sister, was a person of interest in their investigation.
There is no suggestion by AAP of any wrongdoing.
“At this stage, the primary person of interest is your primary carer,” Det Insp Shepherd said.
“There’s no other information to suggest that other people would have been involved in him leading to be in the state that he was found in.”
If police did not find an offender responsible, the investigation would shift to the coroner and potentially a coronial inquest, Det Insp Shepherd said.
