A man charged with blowing up a van packed with gas cylinders outside the Canberra headquarters of the Australia Christian Lobby has committed suicide.
Jaden Duong, 36, had been accused of loading the van with four bottles and ramming the offices of the anti-gay marriage group in December 2016.
Officers were reportedly called to the scene of his ‘non-suspicious’ death around 4.30pm Sunday, the Canberra Times reports.
Jaden Duoing (pictured), who was charged with attempting to blow up the Canberra headquarters of the Australia Christian Lobby, has committed suicide
The 36-year-old had been accused of loading up a van (pictured) with gas bottles and ramming the offices of the anti-gay marriage group in December 2016
In a statement ACT Policing said investigations are ongoing, with a report to be prepared for the coroner.
Mr Duong was charged in April after allegedly driving a white van into the Australian Christian Lobby’s Eternity House building, near Parliament House.
The van had been loaded with four gas cylinders and was set on fire by the then 35-year-old, with the resulting explosion causing almost $100,000 in damage.
Mr Duong suffered severe burns in the incident and walked to Canberra Hospital, around five kilometres away, where he was questioned by police and treated.
Officers were reportedly called to the scene of the alleged gay supporter’s ‘non-suspicious’ death around 4.30pm Sunday
The van (pictured) was packed with gas cylinders and was set on fire by the then 35-year-old and caused almost $100,000 in damage
In court in August he plead not guilty to arson and property damage, instead claiming mental impairment.
‘This event compounds that this has always been a mental health issue – and nothing more that that,’ Mr Duong’s lawyer told Fairfax on Monday.
Documents tendered to court reportedly showed Mr Duong had told police after the incident that it had been a ‘suicide attempt’.
However, at a media conference following the explosion officers said it was not known if the man’s actions were ‘politically, religiously or ideologically motivated’.
The burnt out van caused significant damage to the front of the Lobby’s offices, with petrol and shattered glass littering the pavement outside.
Director Lyle Shelton (pictured) said security had recently been heightened at the offices prior as the group had received death threats
At the time Mr Shelton (pictured inspecting the damage) said they could not speculate on the motives, but said they ‘never thought we would have our office bombed’
There were no members of the group inside the building at the time of the attack, but director Lyle Shelton said security had been heightened after death threats were received.
‘We can’t speculate as to the motives but it would appear that someone didn’t like what we have been saying in the public square,’ Mr Shelton said.
‘We have received death threats for our advocacy [against legalising same-sex marriage] over the course of this year.’
‘We have upgraded security at the office but we never thought we would have our office bombed,’ he added.
Mr Shelton also tweeted two pictures of the van writing: ‘A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra and exploded. All staff are safe. I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated.’
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The concrete outside the conservative group’s office was scorched and the windows were blown out in the attack, which police were told was a ‘suicide attempt’ by Mr Duong
The burnt out van caused significant damage to the front of the office, with petrol and shattered glass seen littering the pavement outside