A coronial inquest into the death in custody of proud Noongar man Jeffrey Winmar has ended after two weeks of hearings.

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Jeffrey was 28-years-old when he was arrested by Victoria Police detectives on 9 November 2023 following a pursuit which involved the canine unit and a drone.

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He fell unconscious upon being arrested, but an ambulance was cancelled on two occasions by police after he came to.

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Jeffrey was then taken to hospital with serious injuries and never recovered, passing away two days later on 11 November, 2023.

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The inquest into Jeffrey’s death began in early April and ran for two weeks. It heard from a number of police officers involved with Jeffrey’s arrest, medical professionals and Jeffrey’s family.

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It looked into the tactics used in the police pursuit of Jeffrey and his arrest, the use of a police dog, what happened after his arrest and the healthcare provided to him.

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Jeffrey’s family traveled to Victoria from Western Australia to attend each day of the inquest.

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Jeffrey’s mother, Ursulla Winmar, said she was looking for justice for her son.

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“We should not have had to come this far to seek the truth,” Winmar said in a statement.

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“Until this country properly accounts for First Nations deaths in custody – and until those responsible for their care are genuinely held to account – there will be more Jeffreys. More mothers like me. More broken homes like ours.”

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Jeffrey’s family addressed the Coroner’s Court on the final day of the hearings.

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“I haven’t felt like this inquest understands how police treat Aboriginal people and our and Jeff’s history with police,” Jeffrey’s father, Jeffrey ‘Pep’ Anderson said.

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“My whole life I’ve seen the cops target Aboriginal people.”

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Pep’s brother’s son, Jordan Anderson, died at Hakea prison in WA, and in 2022 his cousin’s son Ricky-Lee Cound died at the same prison.

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“The police and prisons are killing us,” Pep said. “And no one seems to be taking it seriously.”

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Jeffrey’s family described him as loveable, “happy-go-lucky” with an infectious smile that lit up the room.

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“He was a beacon of positivity,” Jeffrey’s father said in a statement.

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“Jeff would bring the family together in a way that no-one else could.”

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Jeffrey’s mother said that he would also be checking up on his family.

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“He had so much love to give,” Ursulla Winmar said.

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“For his younger siblings, he was a protector and a guide, helping shape them to be better people, to be ready to face the world.”

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Jeffrey’s father Pep said he hopes the truth comes out in the coroner’s final report.

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“We’ll rest easier and I know he’ll rest easier knowing the truth about what happened,” Pep said.

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“Just knowing can prevent Aboriginal people from being hurt in the future. We need people to stand with us. Change is what we’re talking about.”