WARNING: This story contains the name and image of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
The mother of a Wiradjuri man who died after an interaction with police has delivered emotional testimony to the coronial inquest into his death.
Brandon Trevor Rich died after losing consciousness during an interaction with New South Wales police on December 29, 2021.
His mother, Corina Rich, read her Family Impact Statement to the inquest on Thursday at Dubbo Courthouse in western NSW.
Beloved 'family man' remembered
Ms Rich recalled the birth of her son, at Dubbo Base Hospital on November 7, 1992.
He was her only son and a "little bundle of joy".
"I loved my son very much. He brought such joy and happiness to my life and to everyone who knew him," she said.
She remembered his humour, saying he was "cheeky" and would make everyone laugh. She remembered his "mad impression of Borat" that would get everyone giggling.
Twenty-nine-year-old Wiradjuri man Brandon Rich. Source: Supplied / The family of Brandon Rich
He was protective of his sisters, had a special bond with his uncles, loved his cousins and was best friends with his granddad and mourned his loss immensely when he passed.
In 2014, Mr Rich became a father himself.
"His son was a spitting image of Brandon. He followed his dad everywhere and they loved giving each other cuddles," she said.
Mr Rich's passing only revealed after call to hospital
Ms Rich recalled her last Christmas with her son. A week later she got a call from her own mother who told her the police were performing CPR on Mr Rich.
"I sat on my bed, waiting and waiting. No word from anyone, so I decided to call the hospital," she said.
"Finally a nurse answered the phone. She said, 'I am sorry, we did all we could, he has passed away.' That’s how I found out about my son’s death.
"From that moment, my whole life came crashing down on me. Everything was turned upside down. I lost my only son."
Ms Rich said knowing the police played a role in her son's death is "so hard because they are supposed to protect us".
She said the family has been disappointed that the police haven't offered condolences to any family during the inquest.
"I have suffered so much since my son died. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and suffer really bad nightmares that I am in my son’s position at the time with police," she said.
'He asks why Daddy had to die'
Family and friends of Brandon Rich at a smoking ceremony prior to the inquest in Dubbo, NSW. Source: Supplied / NSW Aboriginal Legal Service
"He asks why Daddy had to die and I don't know how to answer it because I also ask myself that question," she said.
"I can’t express how much I miss Brandon, how much we all miss him. I can’t express how devastated we are thinking about how all his possibilities in life were cut short."
Ms Rich said her love for her son will always remain.
"He showed me what the word 'love' means. If there was anything in the world I could do to bring him back, I would do it," she said.
"I will forever keep all of our precious memories in my heart."
Ms Rich is being represented by the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service during the inquest, which began on November 20 in Dubbo.
While Mr Rich's cause of death remains unknown, the inquest is examining the circumstances that led to his passing.
The inquest will prod the police's decision to use pepper spray and restraints on the 29-year-old.
Mr Rich's family is one of the over 500 Aboriginal families to have a loved one die in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.
