A Western Australian coroner has dismissed theories that a murdered meat pie led to the death of Rebels bikie boss Jamie Ginn, who died from a massive cocaine overdose while in police custody.
Fatal Overdose in Custody
Jamie Ginn, the recently appointed president of the notorious Rebels motorcycle gang, died approximately three hours after being brought to the Perth Watch House on October 10, 2023. The 50-year-old was arrested around 1pm and appeared normal for hours before being handed his final meal at 6:22pm.
Just 31 minutes later, at 6:53pm, a passing officer discovered Ginn having violent seizures in his cell. Despite being visible on CCTV, his medical emergency went unnoticed by the officer monitoring the surveillance footage for at least 15 minutes.
"There were multiple jerks," Coroner Michael Jenkin stated during his preliminary findings on Friday. "Mr Ginn fell off the mattress onto the floor. It is difficult to understand why the medical episode wasn't noticed until 18:53."
The Cocaine Mystery
Toxicologist Professor David Joyce revealed to the inquest that Ginn had ingested between 3g to 6.7g of cocaine shortly before his death - a lethal dose even for someone with high drug tolerance. Since Ginn showed no signs of impairment for hours after his arrest, Professor Joyce concluded he couldn't have taken the drugs before entering custody.
Coroner Jenkin acknowledged "some problems" with all theories about how and when Ginn consumed the cocaine. Despite thorough searches that included examining clothing seams, the coroner suggested Ginn might have hidden a drug package between his buttock cheeks.
Mr Jenkin expressed "grave concern" about evidence showing another person had previously smuggled 10cm scissors into the watch house by hiding them internally.
Murder Plot Theories Dismissed
The inquest thoroughly investigated claims of foul play, including suggestions the meat pie given to Ginn might have been poisoned. Multiple officers on duty that night were questioned about whether they had interfered with the meal or had reasons to harm the bikie chief - all answered "no."
"There is no evidence before me that the meat pie Mr Ginn was given was contaminated," Coroner Jenkin stated definitively. He confirmed he could not make a finding of foul play based on the available evidence.
Ginn's son, Tyler Emmerton-Ginn, expressed skepticism outside court, telling The West Australian: "I viewed everything. He's had a pie and straight afterwards, boom, that was it. He 100 per cent had people who wanted him dead and have money to sort it."
The coroner noted that no drug packaging was found in Ginn's stomach or the first 20-30cm of his duodenum, and suggested medical wrappers potentially containing evidence might have been accidentally removed by well-meaning St John WA paramedics.
Coroner Jenkin will deliver his formal findings at a later date, with preliminary recommendations including reviewing staffing levels and improving search procedures - particularly ensuring all officers understand that having detainees lift their feet during strip searches serves to check their private areas.
