Coronial Inquest Finds Partner of Patricia Iliev Did Not Act with Malicious Intent

By Selina Bryan

Patricia Iliev, a 57-year-old woman who weighed just 19.1 kilograms and had no subcutaneous body fat stores, died of starvation at her home in Sheffield, Tasmania, in March 2021. A coronial inquest into her death, which concluded in August 2025, determined that her long-term partner, Philip Adams, did not act with malicious intent, despite the coroner finding that medical treatment could have potentially saved her life.

The inquest, held over multiple hearings in Devonport and Launceston between May 2022 and September 2024, examined the circumstances of Ms. Iliev’s death and whether Mr. Adams’ care may have contributed to her passing. The coroner, Olivia McTaggart, noted that Ms. Iliev had not received medical attention since 1988 and had been cared for by Mr. Adams since 2020 after a back injury limited her mobility.

Ms. Iliev had suffered multiple painful back injuries over the years, which led her to purchase mobility aids and remain largely confined to her home from late 2020. Despite her declining health, she had lived a simple life, adhering to a vegetarian diet and regularly fasting as part of her personal beliefs. Her brother, Kim Iliev, stated that his sister and Mr. Adams had a long and happy relationship, with their lifestyle rooted in alternative health practices.

During the inquest, Mr. Adams testified that he found Ms. Iliev deceased on the couch after spending time in the garden. He spent several hours mourning, cleaning, and dressing her before contacting a telephone health service. Paramedics and police who arrived at the scene described her condition as extremely severe, with her body weight having dropped to a dangerously low level.

The coroner criticized Mr. Adams for not intervening to offer food or seek help during Ms. Iliev’s final days, suggesting that he should have acted more decisively. However, she concluded that he did not act maliciously or deliberately allow her to die for financial gain. “Despite the difficulty in determining the facts surrounding Ms. Iliev’s death, I am satisfied that Mr. Adams did not do any act to maliciously cause her death,” the coroner said.

Ms. McTaggart also noted that if Ms. Iliev had prepared an Advanced Care Directive specifying that she did not wish to receive medical assistance, it could have significantly reduced the need for the protracted public inquest. She further expressed skepticism about Mr. Adams’ claim that Ms. Iliev was coherent and had decision-making capacity during her final days.

The coroner emphasized that effective medical treatment could have potentially saved Ms. Iliev’s life, even in the later stages of her condition. While she acknowledged the complexity of the case and the emotional difficulties faced by Mr. Adams, she concluded that the lack of intervention was not due to malice but rather a failure to act in her best interest.

The case has sparked discussions about the importance of advance care planning and the challenges faced by caregivers in situations where a loved one’s health is in decline. As the coroner described the case as “sad and confronting,” it serves as a reminder of the critical role that medical intervention and clear directives can play in ensuring the wishes of individuals are respected during their final days.