Calls for public inquiry after Casino mum Jamikka Olive dies of seizure outside Coles

The family of a women who died of a suspected seizure outside a Coles supermarket five weeks after allegedly being beaten, have called for a public inquiry into the circumstances around her death.

Jamikka Olive, also known as Jamikka Binge, from Casino on the New South Wales northern rivers, died unexpectedly in a car outside the town’s Coles on July 28.

Ms Olive’s family want authorities to investigate whether there is any link between her death and the injuries she sustained during an alleged assault on June 23. They also want an inquiry into the medical care she was provided.

Candice Drew, 21, has been charged with the assault of Ms Olive at Casino’s RSM Club on June 23. Police have not linked that assault to Ms Olive’s death. Drew has not been charged in relation to the death.

On June 23, the mother was at Casino’s RSM Club to attend a fundraiser for a local football club.

While there, police have alleged Candice Drew, 21, assaulted Ms Olive in the club’s toilets, reported the Northern Star newspaper.

Police allege that Ms Olive attempted to leave but Ms Drew dragged her back into the bathrooms by her hair and assaulted her.

Following the alleged attack, Ms Olive was hospitalised.

Police took out an apprehended violence order (AVO) to prevent Ms Drew from coming into contact with Ms Olive.

The Olive family have said a group of people came to their house on July 28 in order to intimidate Ms Olive.

Later that day, Ms Olive died. The family want police to investigate whether the events are linked.

Police have alleged Ms Drew breached her AVO on July 28 and was arrested, according to the Northern Star.

Ms Drew faced court on July 29 and was granted bail to live in Coffs Harbour, 200km south of Casino. She will appear at court again in September.

Ms Olive’s family have said a public inquiry was needed to examine multiple issues around her alleged assault and death.

“Jamikka was terrified for her life and so was her family,” her great aunt Paula Coghill told 9news.com.au.

She said that there were questions around how she was treated after the initial alleged bashing.

These include claims it took almost an hour for an ambulance to arrive leading her brother to drive her to Casino and District Memorial Hospital instead.

Ms Coghill said Ms Olive was sent home with some stitches to her eye and paracetamol. But the family have said she was left with widespread bruising and injuries.

“We couldn’t understand why she wasn’t hospitalised, why she wasn’t kept in.

“We want some accountability, we want some answers, and we’re seeking a public inquiry,” she said.

“Nobody smiled like Jamikka, and if you were coming towards her she made you feel like the most important person.”

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The state coroner will determine the cause of Ms Olive’s death.

In a separate incident, a crowd of people gathered on the streets of Casino on Monday. It’s thought they had congregated near to a house linked to one of Ms Olive’s alleged attackers.

A woman was charged with assaulting a police officer and damaging a police car.

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