Magistrate to consider inquest plea

TASMANIA’S Chief Magistrate is considering a family plea to reopen the inquest of a St Helens girl who was tragically found deceased six years ago this Thursday.

Eden Westbrook, 15, died in February 2015, with an inquest the following year deeming she died by self-harm.

But Eden’s parents have been pushing for the inquest to be reopened, saying foul play should not yet be ruled out.

They have now been contacted by the Magistrates Court of Tasmania’s Coronial Division with the advice the Chief Magistrate was looking into the matter.

A determination on whether the inquest will be reopened has not yet been made.

Eden’s father, Jason, claims he has identified several serious mistakes in the police investigation, meaning the coroner wasn’t given all the information needed to make a conclusive finding.

The family’s lawyer, Glynn Williams, wrote to Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason in July last year, arguing the investigation into Eden’s death was not sufficiently thorough or had been compromised.

He also said new evidence had come to light and there was a compelling reason to reopen Eden’s coronial investigation.

“This is welcoming news that it is at least being considered,” Mr Westbrook said.

“The whole process has been challenging on our family however, we will not stop fighting for the truth and justice for our Eden.”

In September, Premier Peter Gutwein replied to the family’s request for him to intervene, stating the police investigation had been “competently conducted”.

The following month, Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard also wrote to the Westbrooks, denying any police wrongdoing. He denied allegations that police had failed to speak with several key people related to Eden’s death.

Regarding Mr Westbrook’s concerns that CCTV footage from the night of Eden’s death hadn’t been provided to the coroner, Deputy Commissioner Tilyard said he’d been advised the footage wasn’t of value given its poor quality and low visibility.