Anne Iddon is believed to have starved to death after her husband and carer Geoffrey, died inside their Palm Beach residence. Police discovered the pair, both in their 80s, after friends contacted them saying they hadn’t heard from Anne or Geoffrey in weeks.
Northern Beaches Police Commander Detective Superintendent Dave Darcy described the couple as a ’fiercely independent’ pair who had ‘consistently refused aged care assistance and medical support but were coping with their challenges.’
After discussing the tragic events on Sunrise, Kochie lamented that we live in a society where the deaths of our neighbours could go unnoticed.
‘Imagine an Australia that disjointed. Is that the type of Australia we want to live in? Where we don't even notice when people are gone - in our own suburb.. in our own street.. next door.’
Kochie says his own mum is 83 years old and the idea of her being alone constantly worries him - but the family take care to check in daily.
‘When my own children were growing up we had an elderly neighbour with no close relatives so the kids would put her bins out and check on her... it brought so much joy to our neighbour and the kids.’
He added that if we want to see more good news in the world, we need to set about creating that good.
‘Get to know your neighbour. Look up. Smile. Ask someone how they are this morning, and really mean it… If we as humans show just a little more humanity, who knows what might happen.’
Supt Darcy also appealed to the community to contact police if there are any concerns about neighbours' wellbeing.
‘This is an opportunity to reflect on this tragedy and think about our elderly parents and neighbours and what we can do as a community and as individuals to prevent a recurrence of this terrible event.
‘Knock on their door or give us a ring. We are more than happy to check on the welfare of the elderly.’
