GP dead after alleged home invasion

A much-loved GP is being remembered as a compassionate, generous, and respected doctor, after he died in Melbourne’s east on Saturday.
 
Dr Ash Gordon died after he pursued an alleged group of thieves who police say invaded his Doncaster home.
 
The 33-year-old was left helpless in the middle of a suburban street, less than one kilometre from where the alleged aggravated burglary occurred, eventually succumbing to his injuries.
 
Homicide detectives are yet to make any arrests in connection to the incident as investigations continue.
 
On Monday, Dr Gordon’s devastated sister Natalie described her brother as a ‘cheeky, light-hearted, fun person’ who gave his all to his family and job.
 
‘He was the absolute apple of our family’s eye, every single one of us was so proud of him and everything that he achieved in his life,’ she told reporters.

‘The world is a worse place now because he’s been taken from not only us, but the wider community, his patients he loves so much – he poured his heart and soul into his work.

‘I just want him to be remembered is that cheeky boy that gave everyone his all, and put everyone ahead of him, and wanted to provide the best doctor care he could ever provide because he felt that that’s what we needed.
 
‘We need a good point of call for your first doctor, and he wanted to be that best point of call.’
 
She is now pleading with those responsible for Dr Gordon’s death to hand themselves in.
 
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz described the death as a ‘dreadful tragedy’.
 
‘It’s very difficult to process when somebody is lost under such violent and totally unnecessary circumstances,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘I understand Dr Gordon was very much loved by his community, he was very much respected as a GP, and he will have left a huge hole in his family’s lives and his patient’s lives.
 
‘It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that … a person who contributes so much to society is lost.’
 
Dr Gordon had a special interest in dermatology, treating patients at Box Hill Superclinic’s SunSkin Clinic, as well as his own skin-care clinic in Richmond .
 
On Monday, devastated colleagues paid tribute to the young doctor.
 
‘We regret to share the shocking news that our beloved colleague has tragically passed away following a home invasion,’ the Box Hill Superclinic said in a statement.
 
‘We cannot imagine what his family and loved ones must be going through as our team share in their grief.
 
‘Dr Gordon was well loved and respected by everyone and our prayers and thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’
 
According to the clinic’s website, Dr Gordon was ‘passionately interested’ in dermatology.
 
‘His broad medical skills are complemented by his excellent communication and listening skills which are appreciated by his patients,’ the clinic said.
 
Dr Gordon also owned Ash Aesthetics, saying he believes in ‘forming strong relationships with his patients that value honesty and transparency in all aspects of the treatment’.
 
Online condolences for the GP from patients have begun pouring in, with one person writing ‘Ash was such a friendly, funny and clever [doctor]. My heart breaks for his loved ones’.
 
‘I am so broken by this news as our family doctor he was years ahead of his time, he went above and beyond,’ wrote a second patient.
 
Dr Muñoz said Melbourne’s tight-knit GP community is in mourning, with the feeling of loss for Dr Gordon felt far and wide.
 
‘Dr Gordon will have had far reaching connections from medical school, his own general practice, his training and his hospital experiences. He also worked in more than one general practice where he will have established a large network of colleagues and friends,’ she said.
 
‘Whether people knew Dr Gordon personally or not, I think everyone is struck by the needlessness of this, and the fact that an enormous hole in his community has now been created.
 
‘We know that patients also have very close relationships with their GPs and to hear that your GP has died would be an absolutely horrible thing to wake up to.’
 
Flowers, notes, and tributes have also been left at the scene of Dr Gordon’s death, with one handwritten note from a friend saying he is ‘lost for words’.
 
‘A true gentleman, intelligent, honest, compassionate, friendly, generous,’ the note said.
 
‘I don’t think there is one positive characteristic I could leave out.
 
‘Gone way too soon brother. I truly thank you for all that you helped me with.’
 
Dr Muñoz encouraged anyone impacted by Dr Gordon’s death to contact the RACGP for help.
 
‘The college is here to support its members, and if there are members of our community who are feeling distressed, we would like them to reach out,’ she said.
 
‘We are there to support members, we do have psychological services available and so we are there to provide assistance.’
Victoria Police is urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
 
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