The domestic violence death of Queensland mother Doreen Langham has resulted in coronial recommendations to Queensland police to address widespread cultural issues within the force and to trial specialist domestic violence police stations and staff.
The inquest heard Hely had a "significant" history of domestic violence interstate, and had breached his domestic violence order numerous times in the weeks before the fire.
Throughout the inquest Magistrate Bentley said Ms Langham had done everything possible to save herself, yet nothing had been enough. Today, Magistrate Bentley concluded Ms Langham died from a combination of the unit fire and an injury to her spleen, which likely occurred during her struggle with Hely after he entered her home.
Magistrate Bentley concluded that none of the failings by police were done so with malice but instead a result of "lack of training and understanding of the complex nature of domestic violence by police, particularly those on the front line"."The seriousness of Ms Langham’s complaints and risk of lethality should have been noticed and weren’t properly undertaken due to under-training and understaffing," she said.
In her final comments, Magistrate Bentley expressed her sincere condolences for Ms Langham's family, who were present in the court room to hear her findings.Speaking outside court, Ms Langham’s daughters Shayne Probert and Tabitha Bleys said they felt "validated" by the findings.
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