Twin Sister of Bikie Boss Raises Alarms Over Perth Custody Death
The grieving twin sister of a prominent Rebels bikie boss who died in Perth police custody has spoken out, declaring that the official explanation for his death "doesn't add up" and that numerous troubling questions remain unanswered. Joanne, who was born just five minutes after her brother Jamie Ginn, has broken her silence in an exclusive interview, revealing her family's ongoing suspicions and heartbreak.
Timeline of a Tragedy
Jamie Ginn, who had recently been appointed president of the notorious Rebels motorcycle gang, was brought to the Perth Watch House around 5pm on October 10, 2023. Surveillance footage shows the 50-year-old appearing normal when he received his final meal—a meat pie—at 6.22pm. However, just sixteen minutes later, at 6.38pm, in-cell CCTV captured Ginn experiencing what appeared to be a severe seizure.
Despite an auxiliary officer being specifically assigned to "continuously monitor" cell footage from a control room, it wasn't until 6.53pm that a passing guard noticed Ginn's distress. This delay occurred on a night when the facility was reportedly well below capacity. Paramedics were eventually called to the scene, and resuscitation efforts continued for approximately fifty minutes before Ginn was declared deceased at 8.05pm.
Family's Unanswered Questions
Joanne describes sharing an unbreakable bond with her twin brother, including that unique intuition twins often experience. "I just feel like half of me is gone now," she revealed. "The whole family have all these unanswered questions. It just tears my heart apart."
While State Coroner Michael Jenkin ultimately determined Ginn's death resulted from a massive accidental cocaine overdose—described during the inquest as "unsurvivable"—he was unable to establish precisely when or how the drug was ingested. This uncertainty has fueled the family's doubts.
Suspicions of Foul Play
Joanne and her nephew, Tyler Emmerton-Ginn, remain convinced that something more sinister occurred, potentially connected to rivalries between warring bikie gangs. "We definitely know someone is behind it," Joanne asserted, suggesting there were plenty of people "on the payroll" of her brother's underworld rivals. "We've got suspicions."
During the inquest, Tyler Emmerton-Ginn was granted rare permission to question witnesses directly. He repeatedly suggested someone might have tampered with his father's last meal, noting it was presented unwrapped while others received sealed food—a detail the family finds particularly suspicious.
Concerns Over Custodial Care
Multiple aspects of the incident have raised red flags for the grieving family. Joanne, who works as a nurse herself, expressed deep disturbance that St John WA staff removed wrappers and other potential evidence from the cell after her brother's death. "I still don't understand how, when Jamie passed, they removed all the evidence," she said.
She also highlighted that Ginn had informed the day-shift nurse about pre-existing medical concerns—including blood clots and not taking his blood thinner medication—yet received no medical intervention, not even an aspirin. "A duty of care, you need to step up," Joanne criticized, labeling the overall care as "unsatisfactory and incompetent."
Coroner Jenkin's findings partially supported these concerns, noting that the standard of supervision Ginn received was "poor" and making seven recommendations for improving monitoring and search procedures at the facility.
Late Notification and Contradictions
The family was further distressed by how they learned of the tragedy. Ginn's elderly parents—including his terminally ill father—were reportedly notified at 2.30am the following morning when two homicide detectives from Joondalup knocked on their door. "That's an enormous time gap," Joanne noted.
She also claims investigators initially told her a Watch House nurse "worked on your brother for one hour," only to later discover through media reports that no nurse was actually on duty that night, despite St John WA being contracted to provide 24-hour care.
Remembering the Man Behind the Headlines
While acknowledging her brother's involvement with cocaine and his bikie affiliations, Joanne emphasized his humanity and family connections. "Jamie wasn't an angel, I'm not going to put him on a pedestal," she said. "He had a bit of a cocaine habit. But he knew he was going to get bailed the next day. I really can't understand how he could have had that amount. He had so much to live for."
She described him as a devoted family man who never endangered loved ones. "He was always such a good father, son, brother, uncle and great uncle," she remembered. "I just don't want my brother belittled because he was a good man."
As she faces a third birthday without her twin—after a lifetime of celebrating together—Joanne continues to honor his memory by placing a second candle on her cake. The family's search for answers continues, with their grief compounded by what they see as inconsistencies in the official account of his final hours.
