Inquest Ordered Into Prison Death of Notorious Child Abuser Michael Guider
A coronial inquest into the death of convicted child abuser and killer Michael Guider will begin on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Guider, 73, died in custody in September 2024. The inquest, which is automatic following a death in prison, will be presided over by NSW Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking.
The Inquest Process
The proceedings will routinely examine the management of Guider's health while he was incarcerated. As an automatic inquiry triggered by a death in custody, it will focus on the standard of care provided by the prison system.
The Crimes of Michael Guider
- In 1986, Guider abducted, drugged, and killed nine-year-old Samantha Knight near her home in Sydney's east. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2002 but never revealed the location of her body.
- Between 1980 and 1996, he was convicted of assaulting more than a dozen children. He continued to drug and photograph children even after Samantha Knight's death.
- In 2019, Guider was released from prison under strict supervision, which included the administration of anti-libido drugs.
- In 2022, police discovered he had downloaded child abuse material on his smartphone while under supervision.
Statement from a Survivor
Chantelle Daly, a survivor of Guider's abuse, has expressed hope that the inquest will go beyond a standard review of his medical care.
"One of the greatest tragedies is that Samantha Knight's family was never given the answers they deserved. Guider never honestly (in my opinion) revealed what happened to Samantha's body, and, because of that, she was never found."
Daly stated that the inquest is an opportunity to investigate the full extent of his crimes, including whether there are additional victims. She also called for legal reforms to better protect children, stating that the proceedings are a chance to acknowledge the courage of victims and families.