I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin The death investigator: Hugh Dillon Pt.1
Aug 16, 2025
Hugh Dillon, a retired Deputy State Coroner with a wealth of experience overseeing over 300 cases, shares his gripping insights on death investigations. He discusses the emotional complexities faced by grieving families in coroner's court. Dillon highlights the importance of coronial inquests for public safety, sharing chilling stories from notable cases, including a tragic Sydney Harbour collision. He reflects on ethical dilemmas in seeking justice while emphasizing compassion and the need for preventive measures to avert future tragedies.
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Coroner's Purpose And Teamwork
- The coronial court focuses on who died, how and why, and helping families make sense of tragic events.\n- Coroners work in multidisciplinary teams to examine evidence and support grieving relatives.
First Day Shock In Coronial Court
- Hugh recalled his first exposure to coronial work as a new magistrate and how bewildering the court felt.\n- He found the emotional weight of guiding devastated families surprising but meaningful.
Avoid False Hope For Families
- Be honest with families when a missing person is almost certainly dead instead of offering false hope.\n- Tell them the investigation's limits and give realistic expectations about likely outcomes.