Carol Lisle, 84, who was living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, died on Monday morning in her Mandurah aged care facility.
While her partner of more than 15 years, Ralph “Terry” Gibbs was killed in a car accident two days later.
This tragic ending to their love story comes less than a week after Mr Gibbs received a seven-month suspended sentence for taking Ms Lisle from her Western Australian aged care home earlier this year before the pair were found at the Northern Territory border.
Ms Lisle required urgent medical attention after the incident.
Mr Gibbs was initially charged with deprivation of liberty and endangering life but eventually pled guilty to the lesser charge of unlawfully detaining a mentally ill person.
It was revealed that the couple had been in a 15-year relationship and actually lived together on the Gold Coast in Queensland before Ms Lisle’s goddaughter brought the elderly woman to Perth.
Following the court ruling last week, Mr Gibbs told reporters that his “little sweetheart” had been taken to Perth by her goddaughter while he was recovering from an illness in Cairns hospital.
There have been allegations by those close to Mr Gibbs that he did have Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for Ms Lisle in Queensland where they lived together, but Mr Gibbs’ EPA was not recognised in Perth.
In the days leading up to the couple’s deaths, Mr Gibbs feared that he would never see Ms Lisle again after a restraining order was put in place, which prevented him from contacting her.
According to Queensland police, Mr Gibbs died yesterday morning after his vehicle collided with a ute while heading north on the Bruce Highway.
Mr Gibbs died at the scene, while the passenger of the ute was airlifted to hospital and is still believed to be in a serious condition.
What an incredible love story, bless I hope they find each other in eternal peace ♥️
What a tragic story, a well meaning act has had devastating consequences
This is a very sad story but not an unusual one. Families can think they know best but what harm were these two doingjust wanting to be together.
This is the most hearless thing I’ve read.
Granddaughter has no compassion for these two.
Should never have happened.
Poor old man.
The laugh is on the famy now.
Bith are dead.
Wasn’t even a granddaughter, it was a god daughter , that did it.
Very sad
Rip 🪦. So sad.
At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. family doctor started me on KycuyuHealth Clinic Parkinson’s Disease Herbal mixture, 2 months into treatment I improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors
Whom makes this treatment? Thanks
So sad that they were separated, and died days apart, and not together!!!
So glad to hear of a man fighting the Nazi-like -aged care system . Where they elevate him to a criminal level takes over to become the highest crime in itself.
His closest life companion & having power of attorney over her which they do not and would not recognise ( systems abuse here) and brought about this terrible tragic situation through their own uncompassionate system.
A Aged Care tribunal should have been set up to bring her safely back to Queensland in a air ambulance back to where she would have longer enduring time in her life because a shock of leaving every social connection can kill somebody quite quickly when aged.
They both died of heartbreak.
I hope this can be a lesson to the aged care system that can be quite heartless.
Wait to your old and in love & see your loved one taken away unethical behind your back. you policy writers.
Written by a Welfare Advocate who has much experience within the aged care sector and fights against the Death Culture in aged care homes.
He was charged with”unlawfully detaining a mentally I’ll person” ??? Carol Lisle, was living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease NOT mental illness.
I repeat – Dementia is not a mental illness. Some education is desperately needed for law makers, courts, community, to stop the stigma around this condition.
Heartbreaking ..bless them both..