The Truth About Amy: Ex-cop accuses WA Police of ‘confirmation bias' over suspected murder
An ex-cop has accused WA Police of 'confirmation bias' in the suspected murder of Amy Wensley more than a decade ago.
The Truth About Amy podcast revealed in the final episode of its second season that key witnesses — including Gareth Price who was at the Serpentine property when Amy died — still hadn't been properly interrogated.
Former detective and private investigator Duncan McNab, pictured, said confirmation bias often meant crimes weren't properly investigated.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
'The moment you have confirmation bias in your investigation, it means that you're going to stuff it up,' he told hosts Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy.
'It also means that someone innocent might get convicted or railroaded towards a conviction … (or) that the victims of the crime aren't properly served by the investigators.
'(An) investigation is a jigsaw puzzle . . . you throw all the pieces of the jigsaw on the table and work systematically until you get a result.'
Ms Wensley, 24, was found dead behind her bedroom door in her home in 2014 with a fatal gunshot wound to her head.
Ducan McNab.
Credit: Supplied
Her important belongings were in a car, along with her two daughters — an apparent sign she was about to leave her partner, David Simmons, pictured above with Amy.
Despite police initially treating the death as suspicious, detectives later deemed it a suicide and cleaned the bedroom, destroying with it any forensic evidence.
Ms Wensley's mother Nancy Kirk — who rejects the idea she took her own life — said she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she hysterically sobbed on the day she died.
Ms Wensley claimed Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument, just moments before the fatal shot was fired.
Mr Simmons has vehemently denied any suggestions that he was holding the gun when it went off.
A coronial inquest in 2021 was unable to determine how Ms Wensley died.
'I have considered all of the available evidence . . . and I have concluded that there is not enough evidence for me to make a formal finding as to how Amy died,' Deputy coroner Sarah Linton said at the time.
'The Truth About Amy' is a major podcast produced by Seven West Media, investigating the death of WA mother Amy Wensley in 2014.
Credit: Supplied
/ Supplied
Mr McNab called on Police Commissioner Col Blanch to 'do the right thing' and properly investigate Amy's case.
'Here's a chance for you to get in front of something,' he said.
'Here's a chance for you to be seen as someone doing the right thing.
'Yes, a couple of rank and file might squawk loudly about it, but you're a leader – lead.'
The Truth About Amy earlier this season revealed that former Detective Senior Constable Ann Lehane — the officer first in charge of the coronial investigation — was told to treat Amy's case as 'non-suspicious'.
When she didn't, she was reprimanded.
'Coppers around the country — and I think internationally for that matter — seldom say, 'oops, we've got it wrong,'' Mr McNab said.
'They have been forced into that position and they're always unwilling.
'Instead of saying, 'No, no, no, forget the past', maybe it's time to deal with the past and get these crimes fixed.'
A spokesperson for Premier Roger Cook said there was a $1 million reward for anyone with information that could help solve Amy's case.
'The Premier strongly encourages anyone who knows anything to come forward, so Amy's family receive answers but also justice,' the spokesperson said.
WA Police were contacted for comment.
While Season Two of The Truth About Amy is now complete, the hit podcast will soon be released as a vodcast on YouTube and will continue with bonus episodes as new information of the case comes to light.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Former Beauty and the Geek star, 34, charged with murder after man found dead inside Port Lincoln home in South Australia
A former reality television star has been charged with murder after the body of her suspected partner was found inside a home in South Australia. Emergency services were called to a property on Flinders Highway in Port Lincoln on Thursday afternoon following reports of a small fire. Police officers went inside the house and found a deceased man. A 34-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and was later charged with murder. According to 7News, she had featured on reality show Beauty and the Geek. The show features a group of socially awkward but intellectual men who are paired up with beautiful women. They live in a mansion and compete for a cash prize. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch and Forensic Response Section officers flew to Port Lincoln on Thursday to assist local police with the investigation. Forensic officers spent several hours processing the crime scene. SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said it is not known how long the man had been dead for and refused to comment on his injuries. He stressed to the public that the incident was not "random". "We understand that the female who has been arrested and the deceased male both lived at this address," he said at a press conference on Friday. Neighbours were shocked to hear the news, describing the woman as "really nice". Another said he tried to put the fire out but it was "too smoky". It is understood the couple recently moved in together. The woman faced court via video link from Port Lincoln Hospital under police guard. She is being held under a mental health order and is due to front court in December. The accused cannot be named due to a suppression order. Police encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Former Beauty and the Geek star charged over grisly alleged murder
A former reality TV star has been arrested and charged with murder following a grim discovery at a unit. The former Beauty and the Geek contestant is accused of brutally killing her partner. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former Beauty and the Geek contestant charged over grisly alleged murder. Police spent the day at a property in Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula after the man's body was found inside, following a fire emergency on Thursday afternoon. 'I don't have any advice in relation to how long the man has been deceased. That will form part of our investigation,' SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said. 'I'm not going to comment on the injuries of the deceased.' The accused — who cannot be named for legal reasons — once featured on Beauty and the Geek , a program where socially awkward men share a mansion with attractive women. Neighbours have been left shocked and reeling. They described the woman as 'really nice, very pleasant, polite.' The accused previously appeared on Beauty and the Geek. Credit: 7NEWS Police and forensics have spent the day at a Port Lincoln home where a man was allegedly murdered by a former reality TV star. Credit: 7NEWS The accused was arrested at the scene and taken to a local hospital, where she was charged with murder. She faced court on Friday via phone link and has been remanded in custody, having not applied for bail. It is understood she had recently moved in with the man she allegedly murdered. Police say the unit is a complex scene, but a court order has been placed over details of the case. Officers and forensics are expected to remain at the property well into the night as they continue their investigation. The accused will face court again at a later date.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Mum's heartbreaking plea as son missing in Perth Hills
A heartbroken mother has made a desperate plea to help find her adult son who is believed to have ventured into the Perth Hills four weeks ago. Darren Garwood, 38, was last known to have left a home in Sawyers Valley on the morning of Sunday May 25. He was driving a white Ford Ranger utility with registration SW18692 when it is believed he travelled deep into bushland south of Great Eastern Highway. Police are concerned Mr Garwood wasn't carrying enough resources when he is believed to have travelled into the forest areas around Mundaring — a landscape south of the highway which continues east through to York and south towards Beverley. Mr Garwood was travelling in a 2023 white Ford Ranger ute. Credit: WA Police / WA Police 'Not knowing where he is, it is extremely, incredibly hard for us,' she said. 'As his mother, and also his father and the rest of our family, I'm pleading if anyone has any information, whether from before his disappearance or at any point over the past four weeks, we would be so deeply grateful for your help.' 'His last known location was somewhere in the Mundaring area, possibly within the national parks anywhere between Mundaring and York.' His family urge anyone who travels in the locations — which is frequented by four-wheel drivers, campers and dirt bike riders — to keep an eye out for either either Mr Garwood or his vehicle. Sergeant Tania Mackenzie, officer-in-charge of Mundaring Police Station, said aerial searches and officers driving around tracks in the area had failed to locate the missing man. 'So at this stage, Darren, since the 25th of May, has not accessed any bank accounts, has not used his mobile phone or any mobile phone that we are aware of,' she said. 'It is unusual, we know Darren spoke to family on the Saturday night, late on the night, and is normally in contact with family and friends, so it is unusual, and hence our concerns for his welfare.' The area where Mr Garwood went missing: If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Sgt Mackenzie said police were not treating his disappearance as suspicious. 'All we can ask is that people look out for his car — that's our best chance, (for) someone to see his white Ford Ranger in that bush land, and just to be cognisant of the fact that he's probably gone deeper into the bush land, rather than just on tracks. 'All the tracks have been covered, and he's not been located at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
