I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin Hunted and killed at School of Happiness: Hugh Dillon Pt.2
Aug 18, 2025
Hugh Dillon, former Deputy State Coroner, shares harrowing tales from his career, including the intense manhunt for Ryan Pringle armed with a crossbow. He dives into the emotional toll on victims' families and the urgent need for reforms in the coronial system. Dillon reflects on pivotal cases like the Quakers Hill nursing home fire, urging better safety measures and oversight. He highlights the complex relationship between policing and mental health, advocating for improved training and a more compassionate approach in crisis situations.
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Nightmare Manhunt At Remote Festival
- Police at the School of Happiness festival were stalked and hunted by Ryan Pringle in pitch-black bushland with a loaded crossbow.
- The officers protected festival-goers, used a Taser, and ultimately shot Pringle in a chaotic, terrifying chase.
Eccentric Witnesses Complicate Inquest Work
- The festival crowd included eccentric witnesses like a man who preferred nudity and another who called himself "an entity."
- Practical logistics required persuading a witness to wear clothes and finding safe parking for a hippie bus during the inquest process.
Coronial Oversight Offsets Perception Risks
- Coronial oversight can provide independent scrutiny even when police investigate police, via counsel assisting and Crown Solicitor involvement.
- That layered legal oversight often enforces rigorous inquiries despite perceptions of regulatory capture.
