The Victorian Coroner has delivered a damning verdict on one of Australia’s largest electrical retail chains, The Good Guys, accusing senior management of gross failure and unfair treatment in their handling of workplace bullying complaints that ultimately contributed to the tragic death of a dedicated mother of two.

In a scathing findings handed down this week, the Coroner stated: “They only wanted the matter to go away quickly and showed no real care or concern for the victim.” The Coroner described the company’s response as “unfair” and “completely inadequate,” highlighting systemic failures that allowed sustained bullying to continue unchecked.

Natasha Stojkoski, a long-time employee at The Good Guys Thomastown store in Melbourne’s north, took her own life in 2021 after enduring months of relentless workplace bullying following a workplace injury. Her final words, spoken in deep distress shortly before her death, have now been made public by her devastated family and have triggered widespread public fury.

“I’m so tired… I’m exhausted from the pain and the humiliation,” Natasha reportedly told her loved ones. “I can’t keep fighting anymore.”

Her family has come forward with the full story, revealing the harrowing sequence of events that led to her death. Natasha suffered a serious workplace injury at the Thomastown store. Instead of receiving proper support during her recovery, she became the target of cruel bullying, mockery, and social isolation from several colleagues. She was repeatedly belittled, excluded from team activities, and subjected to derogatory comments about her injury and her ability to work.

Despite raising formal complaints on multiple occasions, The Good Guys’ management failed to conduct a proper investigation. According to the family and the Coroner’s findings, the company’s response was dismissive and prioritised minimising disruption over protecting their employee. Natasha’s pleas for help were largely ignored, allowing the toxic behaviour to continue for months.

The Coroner’s report paints a disturbing picture of corporate indifference. It found that The Good Guys did not take Natasha’s complaints seriously, failed to implement meaningful support measures, and effectively abandoned her at her most vulnerable time. The findings describe the company’s conduct as “a profound failure of duty of care.”

In an emotional statement, Natasha’s family said they decided to go public to ensure her story is not forgotten and to push for real change in workplace safety.

“Our daughter was a loving mother who worked hard every day. After she was injured at work, instead of helping her heal, the company allowed her to be bullied and broken down until she saw no other way out,” the family said. “She died in deep shame and humiliation. No one should ever have to suffer like this.”

The family revealed that Natasha had expressed feeling completely abandoned by the very company she had been loyal to for years. Her final messages spoke of overwhelming exhaustion, constant anxiety, and a deep sense of worthlessness caused by the sustained bullying.

The Coroner’s findings and the public release of Natasha’s story have triggered an immediate and severe backlash against The Good Guys. The company’s share price has plummeted more than 18% in the days since the report was released, wiping tens of millions of dollars off its market value as investors reacted to the reputational damage.

Customers have also taken to social media to voice their anger, with many calling for a boycott of The Good Guys stores. Several high-profile figures and workplace safety advocates have demanded a full independent review of the company’s workplace culture.

Workplace bullying remains a serious issue across Australia. According to Safe Work Australia, thousands of workers suffer mental health injuries each year due to bullying, with many cases leading to long-term psychological trauma or, in the worst cases, suicide.

Mental health experts say Natasha’s case highlights a disturbing pattern where companies prioritise reputation management and cost-saving over genuine employee welfare. The Coroner’s strong criticism of The Good Guys sends a clear message that such attitudes will no longer be tolerated.

The Victorian Government has indicated it will closely examine the findings, with Workplace Safety Minister stating that “no company is above the law when it comes to protecting their workers.”

Natasha’s family is now calling for criminal charges to be considered against those responsible for the bullying and for senior executives at The Good Guys to be held personally accountable. They are also pushing for stronger national laws to protect workers who report bullying.

A vigil was held outside the Thomastown store this week, with dozens of people gathering to remember Natasha and demand justice. Many attendees held signs reading “No More Silence” and “Protect Workers, Not Profits.”

The Good Guys has issued a statement expressing condolences to Natasha’s family but stopped short of accepting full responsibility. The company said it has since implemented new training programs and review processes, though many view these measures as too little, too late.

Natasha Stojkoski was remembered by those who knew her as a kind, hardworking mother who always put her children first. Her death has left two young children without their mother and a family forever changed.

Her tragic story is now a stark reminder of the human cost of workplace bullying and corporate negligence. As the Coroner concluded, “This was a preventable death. The warning signs were there, but they were ignored.”

As the national conversation around mental health and workplace safety continues, Natasha’s final words — “I’m so tired” — have become a painful rallying cry for change. Her family hopes that by speaking out, other workers in similar situations will find the courage to seek help and that companies will finally be forced to take meaningful action.

The full impact of the Coroner’s findings is only just beginning to unfold. For now, one thing is clear: the death of Natasha Stojkoski will not be swept under the carpet. Her story has exposed deep cracks in The Good Guys’ workplace culture — cracks that may take years for the company to repair, if they ever can.