Phoebe Handsjuk

May 9, 1986 - December 2, 2010. What happened?

The Coroner WILL Hold An Inquest

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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)

Buddy – Elia Barresi

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Hello Thomas. You don’t know me, I don’t think we have ever met but I went to Sophia Mundie myself for many years- phoebe was actually my “buddy” on my first day of year 1 at the school. I remember her walking up to greet me with a rose. I remember saying that I was really scared to start school and she told me that I had nothing to be afraid of; that I had amazing things to look forward to and that it’s ok to be a little scared sometimes. She actually took my hand and walked me upstairs and right to my desk and said she wouldn’t leave until she saw me smile… She was absolutely beautiful. I was saddened to hear of her passing…. I just thought you would like to hear of my lovely memory of her.

Kindest wishes.

– Elia Barresi

Soul Sisters- Sarah Howett

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Phoebe was the girl who understood anything you were saying, no matter what it was, she always just ‘got it’.

There were nights we would dance up a storm all night on the dance floor & she would make me laugh hysterically with her ‘left of centre’ humour.

She was the kind of friend who would confide in you as you could with her because to me, Phoebe felt like my younger sister. In my heart, she always will be.

– Sarah Howett

sarah

 

Tiger Girl – Elle Carvill

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UntitledPhoebe was effortlessly beautiful, she was extremely loyal, trustworthy and a good friend to have on your side and she expected the same from you. She authentically cared about you.

Phoebe was one person who I could honestly say that I have never heard her speak badly or gossip about anyone. She was past her years as far as her maturity and she had a raw understanding of life from the very beginning which enabled her to connect with a myriad of people on different levels. Phoebe never judged you and was always selfless in her time to make sure that you were ok.

Time with Phoebe was always special. She was wild, engaging, witty, creative and intelligent . Phoebe was the girl that when she walked into a room everybody noticed her. It wasn’t that she ever went out of her way to seek attention, it was just that she had this amazing presence about her that you could not ignore. Once you met Phoebe, you never forgot her.

I accepted early into our friendship that Phoebe was always going to be my friend, but you could not tell her what to do. She was always going to float in and out of your life and do what she wanted – which she did. At some stages Phoebe and I created turbulence for both our families (as above, she didn’t liked to be told what to do and neither did I), but I know and witnessed her love and deep connection she had with her family and vice versa. Phoebe ran away often, but I know that the first place she would go if she was in trouble is home to them.

I remember spending lots of time at Phoebe’s home in Richmond. There was always an aroma of candles and good food cooking in the oven (which I often took advantage of when staying over). The Handsjuk’s are a warm inviting family; they acknowledge your presence with embracing hugs, they are graceful and always well spoken. Phoebe was the same.  Phoebe loved her brothers, we often spent time watching cartoons with them in the front room. She never told them to get out of the room, they were always included in everything that we did – which was fine with me also.

Phoebe was/is the most determined, strong willed and inspiring human being i have ever met. Whatever challenge she set out for herself, she achieved it.. There was never a boring moment with Phoebs. She had boundless amounts of energy, she was always in good spirits and had an appreciation for life and nature that was infectious.

Phoebe was also an artist, she often wrote little poems and cryptic extracts on pieces of paper (both dark and light) or in her journals. I remember for my 16th Birthday she got a photo of a rose that she had taken on her camera and stuck it on a nice yellow card and wrote my birthday message on the back in gold pen. She was thoughtful and reflective and is sorely missed.

When I found out about Phoebe’s passing and at the time it was believed to be an undeniable  suicide, the first thought in my mind was that she has jumped from her balcony, she hated being caged in and I would have thought that would have been her split decision way to break free. Phoebe battled with depression for as long as I knew her but she was so strong-willed (with everything, not just her depression) and she was one to NEVER give up.

I support Phoebe’s family and friends to get all the unanswered questions answered surrounding her passing. Phoebe was one of earth’s angels and heaven is very blessed to have her because she is so loved and missed here on earth.

– Elle Carvill

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What Happened to Phoebe?

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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.