Warning: This report contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died.
The first directions hearing in the Coroners Court was held on Thursday for Aboriginal man Joey Thurston, who died in police custody last month.
Mr Thurston, described as a "much-loved father, friend, son and brother," died on August 16 at Clayton railway station in Melbourne's south-east, shortly after being arrested.
Police said at the time they used non-lethal tactical tools to arrest Mr Thurston after reports that a man with a knife was pacing up and down the train station and had moved towards the tracks. Police allege he advanced towards officers with the knife.
The Critical Incident Response Team arrived to negotiate with the man; however, police say shortly after he was taken into custody, Mr Thurston became unresponsive.
Ambulance paramedics were unable to revive him, and he passed away.
In a statement, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) — whose Wirraway Practice is representing Mr Thurston's family — said loved ones remember him as a "family-oriented person who was always enthusiastic to organise family events to bring everyone together".
"In recent years, Joey had worked hard to reconnect with those he loved and to plan for his future," VALS said.
"He'd fought to get two of his children out of the child protection system, had found a stable home and was engaged to be married. Recently he had been learning more about his family history and culture.
"Prior to his passing, Joey had been living with family. He was struggling with his mental health, but things were looking up. Joey was due to start a new full-time job the day after he died; however, he would never make it to his first day at work."
View this post on Instagram
Mr Thurston's family are "shocked and heartbroken by his unexpected passing," VALS added.
"He is so loved, and he is so deeply missed."
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating Mr Thurston's death in police custody under the oversight of Professional Standards Command.
VALS CEO Nerita Waight said it was hoped the coronial process, which began before Coroner Simon McGregor on Thursday, would begin to give his family the answers they need.
"Joey and his family deserve answers and they deserve justice," she said.
"VALS are proud to walk alongside his family who have the support and love of the Aboriginal community behind them. Their journey towards justice will be a long and arduous one as those families who have walked in their shoes know all too well."
Mr Thurston is at least the 643rd Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander death in custody since the 1991 royal commission was handed down, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.
At least 25 Indigenous people have died in custody across the country in 2026 alone.
Ms Waight argued Aboriginal people in Victoria were being "overpoliced," "over-surveilled," and were being "met with violence".
"This is a police state, not a state with a social safety net to support people through their most challenging of times," she said.
"Until that changes, we will see many more families sitting in the starkness of the Coroners Court wondering if their loved one will ever truly see justice."
13 YARN on 13 92 76
Lifeline on 131 114
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Dial 000 (triple zero) if you need immediate care
