But it has been known for a long time that people with noseriousillness other than depression are more likely to die than those who are otherwise similar, but mentally healthy.
The Turkish justice ministry says it has ordered an investigation, but has stressed that Mr Ocalan benefits from the same rights as all prisoners including regular medical checks and has shown no sign of seriousillness.
Two months before Kaiya was killed her mother was assessed by an experienced psychiatrist as having no symptoms indicative of a serious mental illness.
Still, knowing what is coming, it seems reasonable to wonder what is to become of our senior citizens when these voucher checks no longer cover the costs of seriousillness.
By contrast, almost no one could afford outright the medical bills of a serious hit-and-run car accident, or a long-term illness brought about through no fault of your own.