Corum Ash has been charged with the murder of 74-year-old Quang My Pham, a Sydney father of six, who was attacked during a Saturday morning walk in Yennora. The grandfather died in hospital on Monday, the same day police located and took Ash into custody.

Ash was discharged from a long-term stay at a mental health hospital in Orange about eight months before the alleged murder. At the time of his arrest, he was living in supported accommodation in Carlingford. Police reported that hours after the attack on Pham, Ash allegedly assaulted a 54-year-old woman at a medical centre in Carlingford before being detained in a citizen's arrest.

This incident has prompted an urgent government review of Ash's clinical care leading up to the event. Officials emphasized that "community safety is our top priority, and we will act quickly on any areas identified for improvement."

Separately, concerns have been raised about other patients escaping mental health facilities. A 31-year-old man accused of causing a fatal car crash in Camden on February 14 escaped Cumberland Hospital six days prior to the incident. Additionally, a 25-year-old man accused of stabbing three people in Merrylands on February 17, killing one and critically injuring two, had absconded from the same hospital 10 days before the attack. Court documents allege that Mr Leaaetoa was placed in mental health custody on February 5, two days before escaping care during a transfer from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital's emergency department.

Authorities continue to investigate these cases amid heightened scrutiny of mental health care and public safety in New South Wales.

Sources