My Advice and Experience for Families dealing
with the Suspicious Death of a Loved One
Overseas.
Table of Contents
Circumstances of the First Few Days of the Elly Case
Advice for Families Facing Similar Situations
1) Circumstances of the First Few Days of Elly’s murder
Our daughter Elly tragically died overseas in Mozambique on the 9th November 2016. At first, it was difficult to believe the news. When we heard that an Australian girl had been found murdered possibly raped our immediate thought was, It can’t be Elly. But confirmation soon arrived: it was her, found naked near a toilet block. The shock, disbelief, and grief were overwhelming.
Dealing with events overseas is incredibly challenging because information is often delayed, fragmented, and difficult to verify. In the early stages, it can be hard to know what information is accurate and what can be relied upon. Information often takes a considerable amount of time to arrive, and the distance, language barriers, and different systems can add further uncertainty.
However, in Elly's case, we found that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) ultimately provided the family with the most reliable, consistent, and trustworthy information during those difficult early stages. Their support and communication helped us navigate an incredibly complex and distressing situation at a time when clear and dependable information was essential.
Friends came to support us, and Nicole, Elly’s mother, confirmed with the manager of where she was staying that it was our daughter who had died in Mozambique.
As I have mentioned DFAT provided excellent early support, keeping us informed of the situation. Heavy rains had closed the nearest airport at Inhambane, so Elly’s body had to be transported roughly 900 km by road to Maputo for her autopsy which tock 4 days. DFAT kept us updated throughout the journey and informed us that the autopsy was scheduled for 14th November 2016 in Maputo.
DFAT also advised that the Mozambique autopsy may not meet professional standards and suggested a second autopsy in South Africa.
I chose to fly there to retrieve Elly’s body, accompanied by my sister and Elly’s boyfriend, Luke. DFAT arranged all travel and accommodation, and 1Cover travel insurance covered everything, including bringing Elly’s body home.
At the funeral parlor in South Africa, viewing Elly was heartbreaking. Her face showed bruising, abrasions, and a swollen lip clear signs of assault. This was extremely difficult for me and my sister, and I advise families to carefully consider whether to view their loved one, as the image stays with you forever.
Returning home immediately was my biggest regret. In hindsight, I should have gone straight to Tofo, Mozambique, to investigate and gather evidence to obtain direct answers.
The AFP told us Mozambique authorities were in control of the investigation, but in reality, they were trying to cover up the circumstances of Elly’s death which came out later on. Statements to AFP should be approached with caution; everything you say becomes evidence.
Elly later had a third autopsy in Melbourne. While the overseas autopsies indicated a violent death by homicide with packed sand in her airways, the Melbourne pathologist concluded “undetermined.” this was a complete contradiction to the Mozambique and South African autopsies and never added up from the onset!!
The AFP misled the family for months by giving the impression that an investigation was ongoing in Mozambique when the documentary record later revealed a very different picture.
Based on my experience, I would urge anyone dealing with the AFP to carefully examine all documents, ask questions, and seek confirmation of important information in writing with what information you do receive from the AFP which will be very little. They mostly keep you in the dark!! If you are told that a particular action has been taken, an investigation conducted, or inquiries made, ask to see the evidence, records, or documentation that support those claims. Do not simply accept assurances at face value; seek proof and verify the facts for yourself wherever possible.
If you do not receive a response from the AFP, continue following up and keep a record of all correspondence. Throughout my dealings with the AFP, I regularly sent emails seeking answers and clarification, yet I was often met with delays, incomplete responses, or no meaningful response at all. Persistence is essential when dealing with the AFP if you want to uncover some facts as you need to read between the lines with what they do give you!
Looking back, one of the biggest mistakes I made was not being more persistent and demanding documentary proof at every stage. I trusted that the information being provided was complete and accurate. Knowing Elly, she would never have accepted vague assurances or unanswered questions form the Australian authorities had our positions been reversed!!
Therefore one of the biggest mistakes I made was to trust the AFP from the start!
Be very careful. Over the years, I discovered that this is one area in which the AFP are particularly skilled at: providing only part of the picture (Half truths). The evidence and records published on this website demonstrate why it is essential to question everything with the AFP and independently verify what they say or don’t say which in my case was not much as they did not want to be accountable!!
In my experience over the years, what is “NOT” said can be just as important as what is said even with the Melbourne pathologist!! For that reason, I strongly recommend obtaining all relevant documents and reviewing the evidence for yourself.
Ultimately, the evidence published on this website demonstrates why independent scrutiny of what you have been told is essential!!
Note; Especially In countries with limited investigative capacity, families need to take initiative to protect evidence and ensure an accurate investigation for the true answers. even our AFP are not trained Homicide detectives therefore the truth about that really happened will only come from you investigating first hand because you care, they don’t!!
2) Advice for Families Facing Similar Situations (Especially in Third World Countries)
Go immediately. Do not rely on AFP instructions. It is very important to take the “first” available flight, as arriving sooner increases your chances of obtaining vital evidence. DFAT can assist with urgent visas and logistics. If possible, bring someone with you for support.
Respect local authorities. Police may be underpaid or undertrained especially in third world countries, but approaching them respectfully can help gain some cooperation.
Overcome communication barriers. Use translators or local contacts. Record everything you see or hear. Best to set this up before you go over if you can.
Bring US dollars. Recognized widely; know the exchange rate. Notify your bank to avoid blocked transactions.
Protect all trace evidence this is very IMPORTANT Secure clothing at the time of death, personal items, or any physical evidence discreetly. Local authorities may not preserve evidence properly. ALL Third world countries can’t test for DNA from clothing. Therefore in Elly’s case this vital trace evidence was never placed into evidence by the Mozambique authorities because they can’t use the clothing its useless to them, but not you, it’s vital and may hold the key to Justice!
Visit doctors. Take notes, request reports, and use small rewards if culturally appropriate to gain cooperation. But be very discreet and carful adopting this approach. However in my case it did prove effect at times.
Document the crime scene. Take photos of the scene and surrounding areas. Collect trace evidence where possible (rewards). Go to the hospital and speak to the doctors taking notes and record if possible.
Be careful with your money. Locals may exploit wealth as in third world countries as they think everyone from overseas is wealthy so stay focused with things happening around you.
Take initiative. Foreign family members often have more access and influence. (rewards) Use this respect to gather evidence and information.
Involve DFAT carefully. Share limited information only what you need to as they may inform the AFP, who often limit cooperation as they don’t want to be made accountable!! The AFP will not want you to go and will warn you about going. In some remote areas especially in Africa it is dangerous so if you go be very careful. With my experience the locals in Tofo were friendly and its really the only way you will find the answers by going over first hand and as soon as possible “don't delay”. Any Homicide Detective will say the initial crime scene and the few days that follow are the most important to obtain the answers and trace evidence.
Consider a private investigator. Experienced investigators like Mr. Charlie Bezzina can help gather early evidence or give you professional guidance. If I had my time over and I knew what I know today I would have been on that very “first flight” over and with someone that had homicide experience however this would have been difficult with such short notice.
Understand investigative differences. In countries with competent police, strict protocols limit access. I would say you need to respect there protocols if they have trained homicide detectives on your case as this is what you want. In third world countries, acting quickly may make the difference between justice and no answers as their standards are poor. However be respectful at all times this is difficult but it the best way for some cooperation.
Coroner’s inquest advice:
This is Very Important:
Only one family member needs legal representation, as it is important to maintain direct communication with the coroner’s assistant. It is essential to clarify to the court who is the primary family representative whether the mother or the father. The parent who is not the primary legal representative can still then contact the coroner’s assistant directly at any time. Failing to make this clarification to the coroner can result in losing the right to communicate with the court directly. I experienced this myself, as I still wanted direct contact with the coroner’s assistant, but if you Both have legal representation, you can lose that right. Therefore inform the court with an official letter directly to the coroner concerned that only one of you has legal representation.The coroner runs and controls the inquest, “NOT YOU”. Any requests or submissions should be made formally in writing and must stick strictly to the facts. Keep all letters and communications focused on verified facts only.
Witnesses for the inquest were a major problem for Elly’s family, as we were not allowed all the “relevant witnesses” we wanted!!! The coroner can influence the outcome by deciding which witnesses to call this is not under your control, only the coroner’s. However, you can object to the exclusion of a witness, and if your reasons are valid, the coroner may reconsider and allow the witness to appear.
If the inquest is held at the Victorian Coroners Court, it would not be in your best interests to blame or criticize doctors from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). Keep all submissions focused strictly on the facts of the case, especially the cause and manner of death. Avoid complaints about the AFP, other authorities, or any court-connected personnel, indirectly doctors included as from my experience this is a waste of time the coroner is not interested in these issues, and it is not the court’s role to handle complaints, as I was told by Mr Cain the coroner that the Family concerns with the AFP falls outside the court’s jurisdiction!!! Submitting complaints to the coroner’s court I found is therefore a complete waste of time!! (focus only on “cause and manner” of death)
Key principle: If a loved one dies overseas, especially in a third world country: question everyone, take responsibility for your own investigation, and do not fully trust authorities. DFAT can provide logistical support, but the AFP may not act in your best interest!!
Acknowledgements
Mr. Charlie Bezzina, retired Melbourne Homicide detective, pro bono advice since 2018.
Hall & Wilcox Lawyers, pro bono support, especially for the inquest.
1Cover Travel Insurance, excellent support for travel, accommodation, and returning Elly’s body.
Paul Warren