The family of Courtney Paige Anderson, who died in April in suspicious circumstances, is imploring the Queensland government to conduct a thorough investigation into her death.
A coroner’s initial assessment into her death concluded that Courtney, 28, had deliberately jumped from a vehicle as an act of suicide.
According to police, Courtney was in the passenger seat of a vehicle, driven by her male partner on April 1 2024. When Courtney exited the moving car, the man allegedly drove 100 metres down the road on the Bruce Highway near Rockhampton, Queensland, before stopping the car.
He did not perform CPR, and he did not call emergency services.
Police, who were unsure whether she was pushed from the vehicle or whether she jumped herself, said there was not enough evidence to charge the man or anyone else in relation to Courtney’s death.
Now, Courtney’s loved ones, including her parents, are petitioning Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Deb Fricklington, to launch a public coronial inquest and get justice for Courtney eight months on.
According to Don Anderson, Courtney’s father, his daughter was not suicidal. Mr Anderson also noted that Courtney’s partner was abusive, both physically and emotionally, throughout their ten-year relationship.
“We are deeply confused, angry, and shocked by the findings regarding Courtney’s death,” Mr Anderson said.
“It is unacceptable that domestic violence and coercive control—factors Courtney endured for 10 years—were not adequately considered.
“Too many women die under suspicious circumstances while planning to leave or in the presence of abusive partners, only for their deaths to be quickly ruled as suicide without thorough investigation.”
Mr Anderson said he, the family and other individuals provided police with extensive and significant information, including “firsthand accounts of domestic violence in Courtney’s relationship”. He said the misalignment with this evidence and the coroner’s initial assessment raises “serious concerns about the thoroughness of the police investigation”.
Lee-Ann Rasby, Courtney’s mother, said she and the family are “struggling beyond measure” after losing her daughter.
“The pain of her death is unbearable,” Ms Rasby said, “and yet, we find ourselves forced to fight the coroner’s inadequate rulings and to follow up on statements ourselves.
“This should not be our responsibility. It is the job of the police to ensure that every detail is thoroughly investigated, and every voice, including the victim’s and their family’s, is heard.
“We as Courtney’s family, carry her story and her truth, and we will not let that be ignored.”
A spokesperson for the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said in a statement to Women’s Agenda: “The Attorney-General acknowledges the family’s distress. Family members can apply to the Central Coroner to reopen the coronial investigation or hold an inquest. They may also apply to the State Coroner to reopen the coronial investigation.”
‘Makes no sense’
Sherele Moody is the founder and operator of the Australian Femicide Watch. According to her count, 96 women have been killed in Australia this year.
Moody notes that, all too often, deaths of women in domestic violence sitiuations are ruled as suicides, prompting no further police investigation. Courtney’s case, Moody says, is almost a “mirror-image” to the murder of Rinabel Blackmore, who died while exiting a moving vehicle ten years ago in 2014.
According to reports, Blackmore jumped from the vehicle in fear of her partner, who was driving. She died in hospital, and her partner was charged and convicted with her murder.
“They were both women who feared for their futures, they both wanted to end their relationships, they were both passengers in vehicles being driven at speed when they jumped,” Sherele Moody said. “And yet, the outcome cannot be anymore different.
“In Courtney’s case, the homicide squad was not called in. Police have dragged their feet with charging the driver and the coroner has made a ruling that makes no sense.”
A change.org petition has received more than 3,000 signatures since it went live on December 5.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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