Clare Nowland, the 95 year old dementia patient who was left fighting for her life after being tasered by police, has passed away. 

A statement from the police reads: 

“It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight.”

“Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community.”

Her passing occurred only hours after the NSW Police revealed they had charged Kristian White, the officer who discharged the taser at Ms Nowland, with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. He will appear in Cooma Local Court on July 5.

NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Josh Pallas called for an independent inquiry, saying the incident “transcends issues of police powers with mental health and ageing”.

“It’s difficult to imagine any circumstances where a frail 95-year-old woman poses a credible threat to anyone - let alone two police officers,” Pallas said earlier.

Pallas said officers were not appropriately trained and misunderstood the potential lethality of tasers.

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