A "very clever guy" with untreated schizophrenia who was obsessed by conspiracy theories died when a homemade device he was wearing exploded in regional Victoria, a coroner has found.
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Glenn Albert Sanders, 48, died instantly at his family farm at Derrinallum in April 2014 when the improvised explosive device (IED) strapped to his body detonated.
Known to dabble in explosives, Mr Sanders had previously been seen wearing a device described by some witnesses as a gelignite-filled black bra.
Police attended his property on the night of April 11 following reports Mr Sanders falsely imprisoned and assaulted someone at the farm.
They'd been informed Mr Sanders was likely wearing an IED, with the arrest considered high risk.
Officers arrived in an armoured vehicle, hoping Mr Sanders would submit peacefully, before negotiating with him for a number of hours.
Mr Sanders said he didn't want to hurt anyone, but refused to remove the IED.
Early the next day a "massive explosion" took place behind Mr Sanders, with his IED detonating soon afterwards followed by six smaller explosions.
Sanders was killed instantly and his home destroyed.
Two police officers were also injured in the explosions, including one who sustained life-threatening injuries.
Coroner John Olle on Tuesday said it was likely Sanders had rigged his house and three other structures that were destroyed with timed explosives.
Friend Kevin Simpson previously described Mr Sanders, who had worked as a mechanic for local garages and later for himself doing mechanical and explosives work, as a "very clever guy" with a talent for engineering.
However Mr Simpson said after the death of Mr Sanders' first wife, his friend had focused increasingly on "crazy" conspiracy theories.
Other close associates said Mr Sanders, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2013, used marijuana and speed.
Mr Sanders largely did not receive treatment and his case was closed by mental health providers due to his reluctance to participate.
Coroner Olle said in the year prior to his death, Sanders had been telling or showing locals he was wearing an IED under his clothes when he left his home.
It was described variously as a black bra containing gelignite and having a safety switch, wires, a battery and a chin switch so he could detonate it if his arms were held.
Coroner Olle said it was an "oversight" both to close Mr Sanders' mental health case and not to notify Victoria Police and Mr Sanders' GP of this action.
However he admitted the "tragic outcome" would not have been averted even if that notification had occurred.
