Sydney man accused of bashing innocent grandfather to death on his morning walk was freed from mental health hospital eight months earlier

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:56, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 01:56, 17 July 2026 Authorities have launched a review into the clinical care of a man who allegedly bashed an grandfther to death just eight months after he was released from a mental health hospital. Quang My Pham, 74, was on his daily early morning walk when he was allegedly set upon and knocked unconscious by Corum Ash, 45, in Yennora, in Sydney's south-west, last Saturday. Police allege Ash attacked him repeatedly across the head with a 'medium-sized plank of wood' before fleeing the scene, leaving Mr Pham for dead. On Sunday night, police released an arrest warrant for Ash for attempted murder. Ash was arrested 24 hours later, just hours after Mr Pham died in hospital surrounded by his family. He was charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder. He was also charged with common assault over an unrelated incident that allegedly occurred hours after the attack on Mr Pham. Father-of-six Quang My Pham, 74, died two days after the alleged attack in Yennora Corum Ash (pictured) spent a long stint at a mental health facility in central-west NSW months before he allegedly killed the Sydney father It has since been revealed that Ash spent a long stint at a mental health facility in central-west NSW and was released last November. Ash relocated to Carlingford in Sydney's north-west, where he had been living in supported housing for those with complex mental health needs and have had previous interactions with the legal system. Sources with knowledge of Ash's case claim that recent concerns had been raised about his deteriorating mental health and whether he should remain in the community. 'This person, and the victim and the victim's family were failed by a lot of different services that should have been involved that weren't properly resourced to do their job,' one told the Daily Telegraph. 'Why weren't all these groups able to communicate together to make a decisive call to put this patient in hospital? The NSW government has launched an urgent review into Ash's clinical care in weeks prior to last Saturday. Daily Mail has contacted Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson's office was contacted for comment. Health opposition spokesperson Sarah Mitchell has demanded an independent review into what safeguards were in place and ensure this does not happen again.  Just hours after the alleged Yennora attack, Ash was detained in a citizen's arrest for an alleged assault in Carlingford. He was later released as police had not yet linked him to the earlier incident Authorities have launched a review into the clinical care of Corum Ash. Pictured  is Quang My Pham captured on CCTV shortly before the alleged attack The NSW Opposition has called on mental health minister Rose Jackson to launch an independent review 'Was there a proper risk assessment conducted before this individual was discharged from any mental health facilities and was there community follow-up care in place?' she said. Hours after the alleged attack in Yennora last Saturday, Ash was detained in a citizens arrest following a separate alleged assault at a medical centre in Carlingford. He was later charged with common assault and released as police had not yet linked him to the earlier alleged attack on Mr Pham. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed earlier this week that the officers who granted him bail had no information about Ash's mental health history. Ash had also been charged with common assault over a third incident involving the alleged assault of a 65-year-old man at his campervan in Guildford last Wednesday, according to 7News. Ash appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday, where he did not apply for bail. He will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on September 10. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.