The family of an Indigenous woman who died in a Brisbane watch house have told an inquest she is "not responsible" for her own death and there was "nothing acceptable" about it.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images and names of people who have died.
Shiralee Tilberoo, known to her family and community as Aunty Sherry, suffered a ruptured aneurysm in the Brisbane City Watch House in September 2020, four days after she was taken into custody.
The 49-year-old had also been experiencing heroin withdrawal and had been vomiting before she died.
Aunty Sherry's death is being examined at a joint inquest which is also looking at the circumstances surrounding the night Vlasta Wylucki died in the Southport Watch House in 2018.
The deputy state coroner is probing the adequacy and appropriateness of the supervision and medical care both women received while in custody.
At the beginning of day two of the hearing, Davina Tilberoo gave a Welcome to Country in the Coroners Court and paid tribute to her sister.
Ms Tilberoo told the court "it was impossible to convey the pain and grief" her loved ones felt.
"Her family still grieves every day and every night for her," she said.
"We all believe she should be here today."
Ms Tilberoo described her sister as a "loyal" and "extremely protective" woman, who should not be "defined solely by the degrading way she died" or "way she lived her life".
"We ask that this inquest not be a trial and conviction of [Aunty Sherry]," she said.
"[Aunty Sherry] is not responsible for her death.
"There is nothing inevitable about her death, there is nothing acceptable about her death."
'No signs of illness'
Several watch house officers who were working during the time Aunty Sherry was detained in the watch house gave evidence on Tuesday.
Senior Constable Stewart Pinteritsch told the court he had several interactions with her on the third day she was in custody, and said she did not appear unwell.
"She wasn't showing any signs of any illness," he said.
"Where she was situated in the cell, I had perfect vision ... I could see her quite clearly and she didn't throw up on that shift that I worked."
Senior Constable Pinteritsch told the court Aunty Sherry had refused to eat two meals in the time he was working.
"She said she didn't want it and she was going to starve herself," he said.
Neurologist Professor Christian Gericke testified about her cause of death, describing the sudden medical condition as a "ticking time bomb".
"There was no way this was foreseeable," he said.
"There was nothing that could be done."
When asked if vomiting could have caused the rupture, Professor Gericke said this was not known.
Family calls for accountability
Outside court, Aunty Sherry's nephew Troy Jungaji Brady said it was an "emotional day", and it had been difficult listening to the testimony.
"It's bittersweet," he said.
Mr Brady said he believes his aunt's treatment in custody was "ineffective" and more medical care was needed.
"It's just about accountability," he said.
Mr Brady said there had been too many Indigenous deaths in custody and all levels of government should be working to end the cycle.
"Particularly those that service provide to primarily black communities," he said.
The inquest continues.
