Doreen Langham died after former partner Gary Hely set alight her townhouse in 2021
A coroner has called for urgent reforms to address the “inadequate response” ofpolice to domestic violence, after investigating the deaths of a woman and her ex-partner.
“It is possible that had every complaint been dealt with in accordance with relevant duties and obligations Mr Hely would not have killed Ms Langham or himself,” Bentley said in her findings handed down on Monday. Specialists within the Queensland police had also not recognised the seriousness of Langham’s complaints and some reviews did not take place because of a lack of staff.
She also called for funding for a domestic violence specialist social worker based at every Logan district police station and recommended officers be required to view the interstate criminal history of suspected domestic violence perpetrators. Weeks after their two-year relationship ended, Hely went to Langham’s townhouse complex about 2.30pm the day before their deaths.Two officers responded about four hours after the call, without looking at any history.
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