‘Deaths, after deaths, after deaths’: Indigenous deaths in custody reach their highest level since 1980

Natasha Ugle says ‘nothing has changed’ since her husband Wayne’s death in 2023, as a national report found 33 First Nations peoples died in custody last year Warning: This article contains images of and references to Indigenous Australians who have died Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The widow of a Noongar man who died at a maximum security prison in Western Australia two years ago says “nothing has changed” for Aboriginal people, after a damning report revealed that more Indigenous people died in custody last year than any year since 1980. The national deaths in custody report by the Australian Institute of Criminology, released on Wednesday, showed there were 113 deaths in custody recorded in 2024-2025, including 33 First Nations people. Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support; or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Continue reading...