Richard Gee, a retired Family Court judge, has been identified as the man who died after being found unconscious in his Sydney home’s backyard pool.
According to multiple reports, NSW paramedics were called to the home in Belrose at around 10 on Monday evening and tried to resuscitate Gee who died at the scene. He was 83.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether Justice Gee drowned in his own home’s pool or whether his death was due to another cause.
The former senior judge along with members of his family survived the bombing of their home in 1984 while they were asleep. The home which was devastated was later rebuilt.
“He will be remembered as a wonderful individual and judge who provided inspirational service to the court and to the community,” said Diana Bryant, the Chief Justice of the
Family Court of Australia, according to
ABC.
“His exemplary dedication and commitment to the court was demonstrated by his brave decision to return to work following the horrific bombing of his family home in 1984 and to continue to serve the court and the community for another fourteen years until his retirement,” she added.
“On behalf of all Family Court judges and staff, I express my condolences to his family at this time.”
A report from
The Sydney Morning Herald said that a neighbour heard that the retired judge’s daughter found her unconscious father in the pool.
According to
News.com.au, Justice Gee is the 18th person to have died from drowning in the state over the holiday period.
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