Help uncover the truth of what really happened to Phoebe. Support the inquest.
Background Information
On the evening of the 2nd of December 2010, 24 year old Phoebe Handsjuk was found dead on the floor of the refuse compactor room at the bottom of ‘Balencea’, a luxury high rise apartment building, located on St Kilda Road Melbourne. It was discovered that she had fallen feet first from the 12th floor refuse room, down the waste disposal shaft to the compactor below. The Toxicology report revealed Phoebe to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.16% and high levels of prescription drugs.
There have been no known reported incidents of a cause of death such as this, in the history of Australia.
On the 7th of December, Homicide detectives said that no second party was involved in Phoebe’s death; she had entered the chute, feet first, voluntarily.
The police brief was passed to Detective Senior Constable Brendan Payne of the South Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit to be completed for the Coroner.
Phoebe’s Grandfather, retired Detective Sergeant Lorne Campbell had suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding her death from the outset. He began to ask questions of the police and to make his own enquiries.
Senior Detective Brendan Payne and Lorne Campbell have worked for over two years, in an attempt to unravel the unexplained mysteries surrounding her violent and tragic death.
We, the family, have requested that there be an open Coronial Inquest into Phoebe’s death, where witnesses can be cross examined, in the hope of finding answers to the many questions still remaining.
The Brief is now with Coroner Peter White of the Coroners Court of Victoria. We await his decision whether to hold an Inquest.
You may view the history of media coverage on the Press page.
The Coroner WILL Hold An Inquest UPDATE 27/03/2013
We have received notification from the Coroner that, “Having considered all the material which currently forms part of the brief as well as written submissions he has decided to exercise his discretion under section 52(1) of the Act and hold an inquest as part of his investigation”
The purpose of the inquest is to establish the findings required by section 67 of the Act. Which include the cause of death and the circumstances in which the death occurred.
The inquest does not operate as a criminal trial and a coroner is prohibited under section 69(1) of the Act from including in a finding or comment, any statement that a person is or may be guilty of an offence (other than a comment of a statement relating to a notification to the Director of Public Prosecutions)
*note: A coroner my hold an inquest into any death they are investigating pursuant to section 52(1) of the Coroners Act 2008 (the Act). This is referred to as a discretionary inquest. Thae Act also outlines circumstances where an inquest must be conducted, such as where the coroner suspects the death was the result of homicide [section 52(2)(a)]. this is referred to as a mandatory inquest.
We have been advised that a directions hearing will be convened on the 1st of May and that time has been set aside in August for the inquest.
On behalf of our family, I would like to take this opportunity, once again, to thank you all for your overwhelming support for us, in our search for the truth of what happened to Phoebe. This is a further step towards unravelling the mystery of her death. We will keep you updated on any further information.
Sincerely,
Natalie Handsjuk (Phoebe’s Mother)
Inquest Details UPDATE 23/06/2013
A Directions hearing was held in the Coroners Court on the 1st of May 2013. A witness list was established and a date was confirmed for the Inquest. It will begin on the 5th of August 2013 and is predicted to run for three weeks. Twenty seven witnesses will be called.
Fundraising Campaign to Support the Inquest UPDATE 24/06/2013
We have set up a campaign to help us raise the money to cover the cost of having legal representation at the inquest. A donation as small as $5.00 will help.
You can find more details on the Support the Inquest page.
We are enormously grateful for all the love and support we have received from everyone since we lost Phoebe in December 2010. Sadly, there are still many questions surrounding her death. We hope the inquest will allow us to find the answers.
Mallacoota Community Fundraiser UPDATE 16/07/2013
A fundraiser will be held on Saturday the 20th of July at 4PM at the Mallacoota Golf and Country Club. There will be live music, delicious food and an auction. All proceeds will go towards the legal costs for the coronial inquest to be held from the 5th of August 2013.
With its serene lake, rugged beaches and natural beauty, Mallacoota was a very special place for Phoebe. It is her resting place and will forever be the setting of many fond memories.