Grandmother, 95, who was tasered by a senior constable dies – after cop was charged with recklessly harming her
- A police officer was charged over tasered grandmother
- Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, faces three offences
- One charge was ‘recklessly causing grievous bodily harm’
A 95-year-old great-grandmother tasered by a police officer in an aged care home last week has died.
Clare Nowland, a dementia sufferer who weighed just 43kg, had been holding a steak knife when she ‘slowly’ approached the officer at Yallambee Lodge in southern NSW just after 4am last Wednesday.
Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, then blasted a taser on Ms Nowland, causing her to collapse to the ground, hit her head and suffer a bleed to the brain.
Her death was confirmed just after 9pm on Wednesday, with relatives saying she died surrounded by family at Cooma Hospital.
Just hours before, White was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
Speaking at a press conference announcing the charges, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb indicated they could be strengthened if Mrs Nowland died.
Clare Nowland (pictured, after she participated in a skydive in 2008) had been holding a steak knife when she ‘slowly’ approached the police officer

Senior constable Kristian White White (pictured at a police parade) was charged on Wednesday evening with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault
‘This matter now is before the court and there’s little more that I can say about it other than to say that the Nowland family have been informed of this development’.
Commissioner Webb added that her ‘thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Nowland and her family this evening’.
White is due to appear at Cooma Local Court on Wednesday July 5, 2023. Of the charges he faces, recklessly causing grievous bodily harm carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail.
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm carries a prison term of up to seven years, while being convicted of common assault could lead to up to two years behind bars.
The officer remains suspended from duty with pay.

Ms Nowland (pictured) died in Cooma District Hospital, in southern NSW , after she was Tasered by an officer early last Wednesday morning
Commissioner Webb said ‘his employment will continue to be reviewed, but at the moment, he is still suspended from the workplace’.
She added that the charges against White could be upgraded. ‘It is possible. It depends on what happens,’ she said.
When she was asked why she will not release the footage of Mrs Nowland being Tasered, she replied ‘I’m not the investigator.’
Investigations into the critical incident continue.
After Mrs Nowland’s death, the NSW Police issued a statement saying ‘It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight (Wednesday 24 May 2023).
‘Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.
‘Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community.’

Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) said her ‘thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Nowland and her family this evening’

The Yallambee Lodge in Southern NSW where the Taser incident occurred is pictured
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