The community of Mudgee, New South Wales, is mourning the loss of Donny Hobbs, whose death in custody has sparked sadness among those who knew him and renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding his final days.
Corrective Services NSW confirmed that Hobbs, 67, died on June 3, 2026, while being held as a remand inmate at Bathurst Correctional Centre in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. His death came just days after he was charged following an incident at Mudgee Police Station that resulted in significant damage to the building and multiple criminal charges.
According to police, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon when Hobbs allegedly drove his ute toward police officers near the station before crashing into the police facility. Authorities stated that several officers and a civilian narrowly avoided being struck. Following his arrest, Hobbs appeared in court, where bail was denied after the court heard allegations that the incident had been planned and that he posed an unacceptable risk if released.
After being remanded in custody, Hobbs was transferred to Bathurst Correctional Centre, where he later died. Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police have both launched investigations into the circumstances of his death. As required under Australian law, the death has been reported to the New South Wales Coroner and will be subject to a formal public inquiry.
While the legal proceedings surrounding the police station incident remain part of the public record, many who knew Hobbs have chosen to remember a different side of the man. Friends and local residents describe him as someone deeply connected to nature, knowledgeable about the Mudgee region, and committed to a simple way of life.
One longtime acquaintance remembered Hobbs as “a modern-day bushy” who often stopped by for a conversation, shared stories about the local area, and encouraged others to live with less consumerism and a lighter impact on the environment.
As news of his passing spreads throughout Mudgee and beyond, those who knew Donny Hobbs are reflecting on the memories, conversations, and lessons he shared throughout his life. May he rest in peace.
