Skip to main content

Homeless mother-of-six who dreamed of being the next Cathy Freeman before 'life got the best of her' dies outside a church after sleeping rough in 'freezing' conditions

A mother-of-six has become the latest addition to a long list of homeless people who have died on the streets of Perth recently.

Alana Garlett, 38, was found unwell opposite the Wesley Church in the West Australian capital's CBD in the early hours of June 18 and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where she later died. 

Another homeless woman told The West Australian that she noticed Alana had difficulty breathing when she saw her that morning.  

'There was something wrong but she couldn't talk and wouldn't tell us,' the woman said. 'It was really cold that morning, freezing.'

Mother-of-six Alana Garlett (pictured) has died after being found unwell on the streets of Perth's CBD. The Noogar woman had first become homeless at 15 and was described by family as a happy woman who had dreams of becoming the next Cathy Freeman

Mother-of-six Alana Garlett has died after being found unwell on the streets of Perth's CBD. The Noogar woman had first become homeless at 15 and was described by family as a happy woman who had dreams of becoming the next Cathy Freeman

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures in Perth that night dropped below 11 degrees Celsius. 

A memorial has been erected near Wesley Church, where she used to sleep.  

A spokesperson from the Coroner's Court confirmed that Alana's death had been reported to them and was under investigation. 

The death follows data from the University of Western Australia's Home2Health team showing 56 homeless people died last year in Perth. 

The average age of those who died was 47.  

Advocates say they want a more detailed investigation into the deaths to determine what impact homelessness had and how the fatalities could have been prevented. 

A funeral was held for Alana on Friday, with family describing her as a happy woman whose life had been damaged by violent relationships. 

Alana first became homeless at 15 and had lost a young cousin to suicide, which had a profound impact on her. 

Her parents Norma and Allen Garlett have also experienced homelessness and had to couch surf for several years.

Her mother said Alana loved to run as a child and had dreams of being the next Cathy Freeman.  

'She used to be a runner when she was younger and she wanted to pursue that. But in the end life got the best of her so she ran off track,' she said.

A memorial has been erected near Wesley Church (pictured) in Perth's CBD where Alana used to sleep. Her death is under investigation following data showing 56 homeless people died in Perth last year

A memorial has been erected near Wesley Church in Perth's CBD where Alana used to sleep. Her death is under investigation following data showing 56 homeless people died in Perth last year 

Norma said the family was told Alana had been 'drenched' by rain when she was found. 

Her sister Michelle Garlett said the family were desperate to know how Alana had died. 

'We're trying to get our heads around it at the moment,' Michelle said. 

'We'd like to find out what happened to her. Trying to find out is heartbreaking.'

Alana's children are in the care of her family. A GP who has known them for years said Alana's death was devastating and should be a wake-up call for the government. 

A nurse who works with homeless people in Perth said most of the people she works with had complex health needs and backgrounds of significant trauma and mental health issues.

'It's impossible for them to manage, health comes last, really. There's so many competing needs, where are they going to sleep? Are they going to get food?' she said.

'When you start getting to your mid to late thirties and into your forties that is when your body is starting to break down. It can't take any more of the poor nutrition, assault, drug use and all of those things that people do to cope and survive.

'When they get to late forties to fifties they're experiencing health issues most people won't experience until their seventies and eighties.' 

It is common to see homeless people with respiratory problems as a result of the cold. 

Several deaths recorded by the research team at Home2Health in recent years included homeless people who had pneumonia when they died.

Associate Professor Lisa Wood, who leads the team which collects the data, said it was important that homelessness be considered when the Coroner was investigating deaths.

'Similar to when you have a death in custody, there might be clinical cause of death but the circumstance also should be considered,' she said.

Lindsay Hale, Department of Communities executive director of service delivery, said Alana was not on the public housing waitlist at the time of her death and that the Coroner's Office is investigating her death.    

'The State Government earlier this month announced it has secured a lease for a new homelessness facility to provide immediate and culturally appropriate responses to rough sleeping in the Perth CBD area. The service will be Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation led and will operate as Boorloo Bidee Mia (Perth pathway to housing). It is scheduled to open its doors early next month,' Mr Hale said.

A cause of death has not yet been established. 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o