Investigation launched after mentally impaired killer dies at health facility

Wajid Kakar killed his housemate and injured two others in Page, but was found not guilty by way of mental impairment. Photo: Morgan McGoogan.

The ACT Coroner is investigating the death of an inmate at the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit earlier this month.

Wajid Kakar had been found not guilty by way of mental impairment for one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder after he killed a housemate with a knife and meat cleaver, and seriously injured two others.

The Supreme Court had ordered the 37-year-old be detained in custody under the Mental Health Act 2015, for immediate review by the ACAT.

Kakar was placed into the care of Dhulwa on 4 September 2023.

In a statement, police said he had suffered what appeared to be a “medical episode” and was declared deceased in the early hours of 9 September.

As this is a death in custody, a hearing will be held at a future date.