Deathly serious lesson
A CORONER has recommended evidence presented in a triple murder suicide inquest be used in a public domestic violence campaign.
This week state coroner Michael Barnes looked into the murder of Kyla Rogers, Tania Simpson and Antony Way and the suicide of murderer Paul Rogers last May on the Gold Coast, at Robina, and near Casino, NSW.
Mr Barnes recommended Queensland Police and the Department of Communities consider using the evidence in the inquest to create public awareness campaigns about the risks posed by non-violent domestic and family violence.
He found a police officer who accepted a complaint from Ms Simpson about Rogers' stalking three months before the murders took concrete steps to address Ms Simpson's concerns.
But Mr Barnes said what Ms Simpson told the police officer should have prompted further questioning about Rogers's behaviour.
"I am of the view the information disclosed could have given rise to a reasonable suspicion that Tania Simpson was an aggrieved (person)." he said.
The inquest heard the police officer called Rogers and spoke to him about stalking after Ms Simpson's phone call in February 2011. The coronial recommendations focused on greater analysis of the links between domestic or family violence and homicide.
