The Victorian coroner’s court is currently investigating the death of John Makai, a 58-year-old father of 10 who died in police custody in September 2023. The inquest centers on an eight-hour timeline that began when Makai’s son allegedly spilled a drink in an Uber, leading to police involvement. Makai was eventually transported to a Melbourne police station, where he was later discovered unresponsive in a cell by paramedics.

The inquest has highlighted several procedural concerns regarding the standard of care provided to Makai while he was detained. Testimony provided to the court suggests that multiple errors occurred during the period between his initial interaction with authorities and his death. While the inquest has not yet determined which specific actions or omissions directly caused his death, the systemic nature of the issues has prompted a formal apology from Victoria’s most senior police officer. The proceedings serve as another high-profile examination of police conduct and the treatment of individuals held in custody within the state.