Coroner's Finding: de-identified XY

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 (These findings have been de-identified in relation to the name of the deceased and family by the direction of the Coroner pursuant to s 57(1)(c) of the Coroners Act 1995) I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the death of XY Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is XY; b) XY died as a result of injuries inflicted upon him by Mr Daniel John Ridgers at XY’s ordinary residence on 30 November 2023; c) The cause of XY’s death was catastrophic brain injury with multiple brain bleeds; and d) XY died, aged 10 months, on 3 December 2023 at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into XY’s death which includes:

• Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Tasmanian Health Service – Death Report to Coroner;

• Affidavit confirming identity;

• Report – Dr Andrew Reid, Forensic Pathologist;

• Report – Forensic Science Service Tasmania;

• Medical Records – Royal Hobart Hospital;

• Records – Navigate Family Services; and

• Memorandum of Sentence and Comments on Passing Sentence.

XY died as a result of massive, unsurvivable injuries inflicted upon him by his mother’s new boyfriend Mr Daniel John Ridgers. When those injuries were inflicted, XY had only been alive for 320 days. Mr Ridgers was 26 years old. XY weighed only 10 kilograms. Mr Ridgers was a fully grown ‘man’ who was supposed to be looking after XY, while his mother was at work.

Mr Ridgers lied to Police, doctors and XY’s mother about what happened – all the while sending text messages and photographs to another woman. Eventually, he told the truth about violently shaking XY, thrusting his finger into his mouth (the autopsy showed XY had a torn palate) and throwing him into his cot.

Mr Ridgers blamed the fact that he had had a stressful day, had been diagnosed with ADHD and suffered bullying as child, for killing a 10 month old baby.

Mr Ridgers was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Section 25(4) of the Coroners Act 1995 provides that any finding I make in this case may not be “inconsistent with the determination of the matter by the results [of any criminal] proceedings”.

Accordingly, I make no further comment in relation to the circumstances of XY’s death.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances surrounding XY’s shocking death are not such that require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of XY.

Dated: 28 August 2025 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner