Death of disabled Port Augusta woman found with infected wounds being investigated as major crime

The death of a woman who lived with significant physical and intellectual disabilities in a squalid home is being investigated as a major crime after police allegedly found “significant indicators of criminal neglect”.

An ambulance was called to Tegan Fredericks’ home in Port Augusta on Thursday after she fell and could not be moved, South Australian police say.

“When they arrived, they found the victim was suffering a serious medical condition and had open wounds and sores, and the house was in squalid conditions,” Major Crime Commander Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.

The 26-year-old was taken to Port Augusta Hospital in a serious condition which then deteriorated. She was flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she died on Monday.

Fredericks had serious underlying health issues which meant she was highly dependent on others and required ongoing care, Bray said.

Police are investigating whether criminal neglect was involved and who might be responsible.

Detectives are conducting a search and forensic examination of the house, 300km northwest of Adelaide, and have seized medical records from a local doctor and the hospital.

The house was squalid and not fit for human habitation, he said, despite it appearing neat and unremarkable from the outside.

“I can say that there are significant indicators present in the investigation at this stage of criminal neglect, but it’s unclear at this stage whether that criminal neglect caused the death, or whether the death was caused by serious underlying health issues,” Bray said.

“Criminal neglect of anybody is a very, very serious charge and attracts large penalties, and then obviously you’ve got criminal neglect that results in death, which is akin to manslaughter.

“For anybody in the community, it’s just terribly sad that anybody could live in these conditions in 2024.

“The house is not fit for human habitation, in my view.”

He said Fredericks’ family have been cooperating with the investigation.

“There is a simultaneous criminal and coronial investigation underway, that involves a significant commitment of resources.

“The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death. I expect that will take some time.

“I would urge anyone who knows the victim who had raised concerns about her care to contact police.’’

- With Hannah Foord and AAP