FIGHT FOR ARON
Family’s search for closure
A DEVASTATED dad who lost his son in a tragic accident is fighting for answers years after the death.
Aron Gillman, 25, died in hospital after being electrocuted at his North Ward rental property in May 2019.
Three years after Aron’s death, his dad Chris Gillman wants answers about what happened to his boy as the coronial investigation into the 25-yearold’s death drags on. Mr Gillman said his family needed closure so they could move forward from the devastating chapter.
A DEVASTATED dad who lost his son in a tragic accident is still fighting for answers years after the death.
Aron Gillman died in hospital after being electrocuted at his North Ward rental property in May 2019.
Three years after Aron’s death, his dad Chris Gillman wants answers about what happened to his boy as the coronial investigation into the 25-year-old’s death drags on.
Speaking to the Townsville Bulletin ahead of the three-year anniversary of Aron’s death, Mr Gillman said his family needed closure so they could move forward.
A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesman confirmed the death remained under investigation.
“Police officers assist coroners to gather evidence, and medical specialists compile an autopsy report and other medical reports if required,” the spokesman said.
“The nature and number of reports and tests vary, so some investigations like this one can take an extensive period of time to complete.
“Once the coroner has finalised their investigation, outcomes will be provided to the family.”
Mr Gillman said police told him on the night of Aron’s death that a full inquiry would be done and that officers would keep the family in the loop with any updates.
“I never heard from them after that. That was it,” Mr Gillman said. Police told the Bulletin officers determined the death was non-suspicious and that a report was prepared for the coroner, Nerida Wilson.
In 2019, investigators said they believed exposed wires on a hot water system under the home potentially caused chicken wire fencing to become live and electrocute Aron.
Mr Gillman wants to know if his son’s death was avoidable or if damaged or dodgy electrical work contributed.
He also wants to know if findings linked to Aron’s death could potentially lead to changes in rental or safety laws to save others.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” Mr Gillman said.
“You lose a 25-year-old son and no one is giving you any answers. It is very, very draining. There just does not seem to be an end to it.”
Despite calling the coroner’s office multiple times, Mr Gillman said he still had no idea about when the report would come out.
”It gets you down sometimes because you want to find out what happened,” he said.
“I don’t know if it is government departments with cut funding or (something else), we just want to find out why it is taking so long.
“Families are suffering because it is taking so long. It is probably not just our family, there are probably others going through the same thing.”