Australia Australia - Leisl Smith, 23, Wallarah, NSW, 19 Aug 2012 *arrest in 2019, died during trial*

[JerseyGirl]

Grieving mum pleads for trial verdict of daughter's murder accused to be unsealed

The mother of Central Coast woman Leisl Smith who vanished in 2012 calls for laws to be amended to allow a verdict for the man who stood trial for her murder — but died — to be released.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sleepinoz]

Just a FYI - Gary Jubelin has done a podcast about Leisl (2 parts).

Part 1:

Missing or murdered: Jerildene Cane Pt.1

Podcast Episode · I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin · 28/10/2023 · 46m

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Chestnutsunfish]

Just a FYI - Gary Jubelin has done a podcast about Leisl (2 parts).

Part 1:

Missing or murdered: Jerildene Cane Pt.1

Podcast Episode · I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin · 28/10/2023 · 46m

podcasts.apple.com

Thank you for posting. Listening now.

 

[drsleuth]

Inquest to start this week

Upcoming inquests

View the upcoming inquests, hearings and delivery of findings taking place at the NSW Coroners Court.

coroners.nsw.gov.au

 

[drsleuth]

Alleged killer's verdict could remain sealed forever

A detective has called for law reform after an accused killer ended his life on the eve of his verdict being delivered, robbing his victim's family of closure.

au.news.yahoo.com

Alleged killer's verdict could remain sealed forever​

Rachel Jackson
Wed 11 June 2025 at 3:19 pm AEST

The only person who can say definitively whether Leisl Smith was murdered has been sworn to secrecy by Australian law.

Legal proceedings must be terminated if the accused person dies, according to laws of abatement.

The legislation means Ms Smith's family still do not know if she was murdered, almost 13 years after she went missing.

The lead detective in her case on Wednesday used the woman's inquest to call for law reform.

Her family deserved to know Justice Elizabeth Fullerton's sealed verdict, Detective Sergeant Michael Jones told the court.

"I believe in our investigation, I know in my heart what the result was going to be in trial," he told the NSW Coroner's Court.

"That decision would have helped (Ms Smith's family) to reconcile and move forward."

"It's something that I think about all the time," he said, before addressing Ms Smith's mother Sandi Harvey in the courtroom.

"I'm sorry I couldn't give you the ultimate answers that you really wanted ... you deserve them.

"I've done my best and I'm sorry."

Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame praised the quality of his investigation and said hope remained something could be found.

"It is very clear to me that you went above and beyond," she said.

 

[drsleuth]

Inquest opens into Leisl Smith disappearance - NBN News

An inquest has today begun examining the disappearance and suspected death of Central Coast woman Le

www.nbnnews.com.au

video in link

 

[drsleuth]

Coronial push for Leisl Smith’s family as inquiry concludes - NBN News

An inquest into the disappearance of Central Coast woman Liesl Smith has wrapped up. The court heari

www.nbnnews.com.au

Coronial push for Leisl Smith’s family as inquiry concludes​

Video in link

 

[SouthAussie]

What a sad conclusion, 13 years later.

Leisl still missing, presumed murdered
James Church dead, one day before the court verdict, never to be an official verdict in his murder trial
Craig Elkin (Leisl's ex) dead in a river in 2015, in non-suspicious circumstances

I am guessing that Harriet Grahame will, in her findings, conclude that 'someone known to Leisl' murdered her. Unless she is allowed to actually name James Church.

imo

Cold case inquest hears sightings of suspected victim 'red herrings'

Leisl Smith has not been seen since 2012 and her accused killer died before a NSW court could reach a verdict. Today an inquest has heard from a police officer who has no doubt the woman is dead.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Georgeacita]

What a sad conclusion, 13 years later.

Leisl still missing, presumed murdered
James Church dead, one day before the court verdict, never to be an official verdict in his murder trial
Craig Elkin (Leisl's ex) dead in a river in 2015, in non-suspicious circumstances

I am guessing that Harriet Grahame will, in her findings, conclude that 'someone known to Leisl' murdered her. Unless she is allowed to actually name James Church.

imo

Cold case inquest hears sightings of suspected victim 'red herrings'

Leisl Smith has not been seen since 2012 and her accused killer died before a NSW court could reach a verdict. Today an inquest has heard from a police officer who has no doubt the woman is dead.

www.abc.net.au

The decision will be handed down toward the end of August. I will let you all know the result then

 

[Georgeacita]

The decision will be handed down toward the end of August. I will let you all know the result then

The decision will be handed down on the 29th September,.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Answers for family of woman missing for 13 years

A family will finally receive some closure more than a decade after a young woman vanished without a trace.

au.news.yahoo.com

More than 13 years after a young woman vanished without a trace, a coroner is set to finally shed some light on the long-held mystery.

Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame is set to hand down her findings about Ms Smith's disappearance on Monday, more than 13 years after she was last seen alive.

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/after-13-years-leisl-smith-mystery-finally-gets-resolution-after-coroners-findings/news-story/4c4849b7383b016e329946166cda20cb?amp

After 13 years, Leisl Smith mystery finally gets resolution after coroner’s findings​

A coroner has handed down her findings into the 13-year mystery of the disappearance of Leisl Smith, who vanished from the Central Coast.

An inquest examined Ms Smith’s death and, on Monday, Coroner Harriet Grahame handed down her findings, telling the court that Ms Smith was killed by her former partner.

“Leisl’s death was a homicide. She was killed by James Scott Church,” Ms Grahame said as she handed down her findings on Monday.

BBM : Finally!!

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/after-13-years-leisl-smith-mystery-finally-gets-resolution-after-coroners-findings/news-story/fbc4848c1188a0ea88780816acb30b15

Central Coast woman Leisl Smith was killed by her former partner and her body was dumped in the Hunter Valley, a coroner has found, bringing a 13-year mystery to a resolution.

 

[drsleuth]

Answers for grieving family 13 years after 'free spirit' vanished in NSW

www.9news.com.au

She also formally recommended a legal change be considered to allow trial verdicts to be released where they are settled before an accused person dies.

Grahame noted that sealing the outcome of Church's trial caused "deep distress" to Smith's family and the diligent police officers whose investigation came to an abrupt end.
The coroner recommended NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley refer the question to the law reform commission for consideration.