A smuggled bedsheet, handwritten notes and an unspeakable two hour window: Grim details emerge about 18-year-old Tarsha Golightly's suicide death in prison

By WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:48, 21 August 2026 | Updated: 03:49, 21 August 2026 The tragic decisions by authorities that led to the death of young mum Tarsha Golightly in jail have been revealed.  On Friday, the Coroner's Court of Victoria heard a series of events leading up to the 18-year old's suicide would be thoroughly investigated so that they may never happen again.  Tarsha's father Robert Golightly was in court as shocking details of her horrific death were aired in court.  Her mother Tanya had also tuned into the hearing via video link.  Amanda Burnnard, the Counsel Assisting Coroner Simon McGregor, told the court Tarsha was arrested on May 4 and initially held at Parkville Youth Justice Precinct.  For undisclosed reasons, the vulnerable teen was transferred to Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on July 22.  It is a jail that houses some of Australia's most loathsome and dangerous female inmates, including mushroom killer Erin Patterson, underworld matriarch Judy Moran and the 'Black Widow' Robyn Jane Lindholm.   Tarsha would die just five days later. Tarsha Golightly (above) was found dead outside her cell at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Melbourne, on July 27 The court heard Tarsha was placed in a single cell in the Dorson unit where new reception prisoners were held. On July 27, at about 7.46am, a prison officer unlocked her cell.  The court heard Tarsha left carrying a laundry bag containing a concealed bedsheet.  She then used the bedsheet to take her own life in the prison yard, Ms Burnnard said. Daily Mail has chosen not to publish details of the method of her suicide.   Her body was found two hours later by two other prisoners, who alerted staff. CPR was commenced, but Tarsha was pronounced dead by an on-site Western Health nurse at 10.03am. The court heard police later found handwritten notes expressing suicidal thoughts.  As Tarsha was laid to rest last week, Daily Mail uncovered details of the serious charges she was facing at the time of her death, as well as the fact she had been remanded in custody after her bail was revoked. Mourners gather at the funeral of Tarsha Golightly on August 14 Hundreds gathered to farewell Tarsha in Geelong  She was also due to face court on July 28, but died the day before she was scheduled to answer the allegations. Court documents show she faced charges including theft, criminal damage by arson, aggravated burglary and breaching a Family Violence Intervention Order by allegedly contacting or approaching a protected person in defiance of the order. The most serious allegations stem from an alleged arson in Norlane on May 1 and an aggravated burglary in Corio the following day - both Housing Commission hubs in Geelong's northern suburbs - with the burglary charge alleging that a person's life was endangered. Coroner McGregor told the court Tarsha’s criminal history and charge briefs would make-up part on the coronial investigation.  The coroner will also look at CCTV, records from Parkville and DPFC, Office of the Chief Psychiatrist material, child protection records,  family violence information, Forensicare clinical records, Western Health medical records and statements in addition to anticipated statements from family, staff, ambulance, and police.  The court heard the coroner is keen to work out why Tarsha was moved from juvenile detention to the adult jail.  He was also keen to know what happened once there in regards to support and how she was able to take her own life in the yard and was then left undiscovered for hours. Last week, Tarsha was farewelled at Geelong Crematorium's memorial gardens in Armstrong Creek, about 11 kilometres south of Geelong's CBD. Tarsha (pictured in 2020) was reportedly subject to several lockdowns in the days before her death Just four months before her death, the teenager shared a chilling photograph of her legs bearing the words: 'They'll miss me when I'm gone'. The service was led by a funeral director who acknowledged the difficult path Tarsha had walked during her short life. 'Today we remember Tarsha with open hearts and honest minds. We will not pretend that her journey was simple,' she said. 'Her path was often turbulent, marked by steep hills, sharp corners and friction with the world around her. There were fractures in relationships and struggles that brought her into conflict with society.' Friends were invited to leave messages and cards on the coffin as Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U played. 'I'm sure you'll agree that nothing and no one compared to Tarsha,' the funeral director said. Mourners were told of the difficult circumstances surrounding her birth in January 2008 and early childhood. But the funeral director said there had still been many happy memories for her family to hold onto. 'Although Tarsha had been removed from her mother's care when just 11 years old, there were still a lot of happy times that both her parents Rob and Tanya will no doubt hold close to their hearts, as you all will too,' she said. The matter will return to court in November.  If you need support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.