Jerwin Ropuya died in 2019. Seven years later, his family are still waiting for answers. Photo: Migrante International/Facebook.
The NSW Deputy State Coroner has rejected claims of unfairness raised by an interested party in the inquest into the death of a 21-year-old Filipino man, but agreed to briefly delay delivering her findings to consider late submissions.
Magistrate Rebecca Hosking was due to hand down her findings at a Sydney hearing on Monday (12 January) following an inquest into Jerwin Royupa’s death at a Riverina winery, which concluded in late 2024.
Mr Royupa arrived in Australia in February 2019 on a Temporary Work (Training) 407 visa.
According to a Legal Aid NSW submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry, he was promised professional training and a stipend, but died just six weeks later after allegedly exiting a moving vehicle driven by his sponsor, who cannot be named due to a court non-publication order.
“Jerwin Royupa died on 15 March 2019 aged 21 from injuries sustained on 14 March 2019. From that date, today and ongoing, Jerwin’s family have been searching for answers into how and why Jerwin died,” Magistrate Hosking said.
The coronial findings that could shed light on the cause of his death were originally listed for February 2026, but were brought forward to Monday 12 January after all parties — except one — completed their submissions by late October 2025.
“The family has waited almost seven years for answers,” Magistrate Hosking said, noting that relatives had travelled from overseas and that public interest recommendations lose value if delayed.
However, at 4:51 pm on the previous Friday, an interested party (subject to a non-publication order) applied to have the findings cancelled and delayed, arguing he had been denied procedural fairness. His submissions were filed at 1:58 pm on Monday, just over an hour before the findings were due.
The interested party cited health issues, delayed access to transcripts and the early findings date, and alleged bias.
Magistrate Hosking rejected those claims, finding the party had been given multiple extensions over many months and a reasonable opportunity to be heard. She also dismissed allegations of bias and said the medical evidence relied upon was outdated and insufficient.
Christine Melis, a lawyer representing Mr Royupa’s family, opposed any delay, noting the interested party had already been granted at least six extensions.
Despite rejecting the application, Magistrate Hosking allowed the late submissions to be read, saying a short four-day adjournment would still enable a family member to be present, given their travel arrangements.
“It would be inconsistent with the inquisitorial process not to consider information now available in circumstances where it can be accommodated within an appropriate timetable,” Magistrate Hosking said.
“I do acknowledge that this decision may be distressing, and for that, I sincerely apologise.
“I am very sorry that this is where we have ended today.”
The findings will now be delivered on Friday (17 January).
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