'Not enough evidence' to determine young woman's cause of death, inquest finds

NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan has found there is not enough evidence to formally determine whether the death of a Wilcannia woman was the result of suicide or homicide.

The inquest heard there were limitations and missed opportunities in the initial police investigation.

Ms O'Sullivan made five recommendations, including asking NSW Police to review its support for officers undertaking a homicide investigation.

Warning: This story contains distressing details and mentions suicide.

A coroner has been unable to determine if a young woman's death in 2022 was the result of suicide or homicide.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.

Barkindji woman Sonya Dutton, 31, was found in the backyard of her family's Wilcannia residence on March 29, 2022 — four days after she was reportedly last seen.

On Tuesday, New South Wales coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said she recognised there were deficiencies in the initial police investigation, which had ruled Ms Dutton died by suicide.

In October 2023, the state coroner requested a second investigation into the 31-year-old's death.

The current inquest was subsequently launched in early 2025.

As she handed down her findings at the Broken Hill Local Court today, Ms O'Sullivan said the second investigation had revealed "allegations of intimate partner violence" and gaps in evidence.

"[This] gave rise to a suspicion that Sonya might have died as a result of homicide," the coroner said.

The inquest previously heard from the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the initial investigation, Detective Senior Constable Madeleine Fleming, who acknowledged there were deficiencies in the investigative process.

This included a lack of formal statements from key witnesses and failing to collect CCTV footage from a person of interest in the case.

But Senior Constable Fleming, who only had one year of experience as a detective when she was assigned to the case, also outlined a lack of structure and support in the Broken Hill office.

She provided the coroner with a list of suggestions to improve police practices, which have been included in the recommendations.

In contrast, Ms O'Sullivan described the second police investigation as professional and thorough.

She noted that it involved members of the homicide squad, including Detective Senior Constable Patrick Chew, who said that they visited Wilcannia six times and took 44 statements.

"A number of Sonya's family members and other community members expressed their appreciation for their work, and the thoughtful and respectful way in which they approached the community," Ms O'Sullivan said.

In handing down today's findings, Ms O'Sullivan pointed to signs that showed Ms Dutton could have died either by suicide or homicide.

Ms O'Sullivan noted the 31-year-old's contact with mental health services in Wilcannia and previous suicide attempts.

She also highlighted the nature of Ms Dutton's relationship with her ex-partner, saying it was probable she experienced intimate partner violence.

Ultimately, though, on all the evidence provided, the coroner said no conclusion could be drawn.

Ms O'Sullivan made five recommendations, including that the NSW Police review its supervision and support processes at the Barrier Police District.

She also asked NSW Police to review the strengths of the second homicide investigation and consider how they could be implemented into core police training.

Throughout the inquest, Sonya Dutton's family were present and closely engaged by the NSW coroner.

The court heard community members describe the mother-of-two as "happy-go-lucky", but she had also "experienced great trauma and loss throughout her life" with many people close to her dying.

The inquest also previously heard emotional statements from family including her father, Keith Dutton.

"I don't think it will ever stop hurting," he said.

"I want to acknowledge the effort that has been put into this inquest.

Mr Dutton joined via audio visual link from a hospital bed, along with the Wilcannia community, to hear the coroner's findings.

Ms O'Sullivan recognised that while this would mark the end of the formal coronial process, the Wilcannia community would still need to heal.

"I acknowledge it does not mark the end of the grieving for Sonya's family and friends, and those within the Wilcannia community, who have been so deeply impacted by her passing," she said.

In conversations with the ABC before the findings were handed down, the family expressed their wish in needing time before commenting on the outcome of the inquest.