Latest news with #TheTruthAboutAmy
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
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.
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Perth Now
Expert ‘95 per cent' certain Amy Wensley didn't kill herself
A biomechanics expert says he wants a criminal trial where witnesses can be cross-examined about Amy Wensley's death because he is '95 per cent' certain she did not take her own life. Speaking to investigative journalists Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy in the latest episode of The Truth About Amy, University of WA applied anatomy and biomechanics professor Dr Timothy Ackland said he believed the 24-year-old 'did not kill herself'. 'In science we're always dealing with probabilities, we test hypotheses,' he said. 'There are some limitations to our tests and those have to be acknowledged and that's why we never say with 100 per cent certainty that A equals B. 'If you asked me for a percentage, I would say (with) 95 per cent confidence . . . that my suggestion that she did not kill herself is true.' A biomechanics expert says he wants a criminal trial where witnesses can be cross-examined about Amy Wensley's death because he is '95 per cent' certain she did not take her own life. Credit: Unknown / Facebook Ms Wensley was found dead in her Serpentine bedroom in 2014 with a fatal shotgun blast to the head. Her and her two young daughters' belongings were found inside her car, indicating she was planning on leaving her partner, David Simmons. And despite police initially treating the death as suspicious, detectives later deemed it a suicide and cleaned the bedroom, destroying any forensic evidence. Ms Wensley's friends and family reject the idea she took her own life. Dr Ackland — who analysed the biomechanics of Ms Wensley's death — said there were 'about 20 things' in relation to the death which looked 'unusual and extraordinary'. UWA applied anatomy and biomechanics professor Dr Timothy Ackland believes Amy Wensley 'did not kill herself'. Credit: Supplied 'There was so much inconsistency in the witness statements and in what people had said had occurred and the evidence,' he said. 'The whole thing from the start did not ring true. Not much of the witness statements information made sense to me. 'The only thing that made sense was the report of the attending uniformed officers who were the first people on the scene apart from those witnesses.' Amy's mother, Nancy Kirk, has revealed she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she hysterically sobbed on the day she died. Amy had claimed that Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument. The argument — which was heard and seen by witnesses — happened 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. 'I regret that I am unable to provide all of the answers that Amy's family are seeking, but I am required to base my findings on the evidence, and there are too many unknowns in this case.' Dr Ackland said he felt 'troubled' by Ms Wensley's death and said he wanted the witnesses to be 'cross-examined and interrogated' at a criminal trial. Amy Wensley. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'There is a lot of politics around this . . . the longer this goes on, it troubles me more and more that I believe that an injustice has been done, and it's part of the reason why I'm sitting here today,' he said. 'I just get the feeling that the evidence hasn't been weighted in the best way possible to get Amy justice. 'I think it can progress if those various players who were witnesses on the scene have an opportunity to present themselves and be cross-examined and interrogated.' Anyone with information can email thetruthaboutamy@ or leave an anonymous tip at Lifeline 13 11 14
7NEWS
27-04-2025
- 7NEWS
Truth About Amy Wensley: Former coroner Evelyn Vicker believe's Amy's death ‘was an unlawful killing'
A retired senior coroner believes Amy Wensley was the victim of an unlawful killing and says there is evidence which shows she did not pull the trigger despite police initially finding she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The bombshell revelations are revealed as Seven West Media on Sunday launches season two of its investigative podcast, The Truth About Amy, hosted by award-winning journalists Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy. Ms Wensley, 24, was found dead behind her bedroom door in her Serpentine home in 2014 with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Her important belongings were in a car, along with her two daughters — an apparent sign she was about to leave the house she shared with her partner, David Simmons. But despite this, the awkward position of her body, and the grave suspicions of the very first police on the scene, detectives later decided the death was a suicide — and lifted the forensic shutters around the room. After an inquest in 2021, now Deputy State Coroner Sarah Linton made an open finding, meaning she could not determine if Ms Wensley's death was a suicide, homicide — or an accident. But in an extremely rare interview, the former Deputy State Coroner, Evelyn Vicker — the original coroner to read Ms Wensley's file — has said the details in it led her to form the view she did not die by suicide. 'To me, it was an unlawful killing,' she said. 'What we've got is evidence . . . she didn't pull the trigger herself. 'Both psychologically and forensically to me . . . Amy wouldn't have committed suicide at that point in time.' Amy's mother, Nancy Kirk, has revealed she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she sobbed on the day she died, claiming Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument. The argument — which was heard and seen by witnesses — happened 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. Officers initially treated Amy's death as suspicious, but detectives later ruled it a suicide. As part of their investigation, Bartlett and Sandy also enlisted University of WA applied anatomy and biomechanics professor Timothy Ackland, who says the evidence 'hasn't been weighted in the best way possible'. 'Personally, I try to remain dispassionate as much as I can and that serves me very well in most of other cases that I'm involved in,' he said. 'But I guess this one's a little bit different. 'It's gone on for some time and I just get the feeling that the evidence hasn't been weighted in the best way possible for Amy to get justice.' Sandy said following season one of the podcast, WA Police reopened the investigation into Ms Wensley's death and updated the brief of evidence for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider. 'We've had a massive response from the public who are passionate about The Truth About Amy being realised and somebody being held accountable for her death,' she said. 'And now more people involved in the investigation of Amy Wensley have come forward saying that they knew she didn't kill herself from the start, but were, in some cases, shouted down – literally. 'So now the family is concerned, and rightly so, that there are still people in power, with enough sway, to prevent justice in Amy's case from being realised. 'We owe it to Amy's family, along with every other family whose investigation into their loved one's death has been botched to see this through.'
West Australian
26-04-2025
- West Australian
Truth About Amy Wensley: Former coroner Evelyn Vicker believe's Amy's death ‘was an unlawful killing'
A retired senior coroner believes Amy Wensley was the victim of an unlawful killing and says there is evidence which shows she did not pull the trigger despite police initially finding she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The bombshell revelations are revealed as Seven West Media on Sunday launches season two of its investigative podcast, The Truth About Amy, hosted by award-winning journalists Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy. Ms Wensley, 24, was found dead behind her bedroom door in her Serpentine home in 2014 with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Her important belongings were in a car, along with her two daughters — an apparent sign she was about to leave the house she shared with her partner, David Simmons. But despite this, the awkward position of her body, and the grave suspicions of the very first police on the scene, detectives later decided the death was a suicide — and lifted the forensic shutters around the room. After an inquest in 2021, now Deputy State Coroner Sarah Linton made an open finding, meaning she could not determine if Ms Wensley's death was a suicide, homicide — or an accident. But in an extremely rare interview, the former Deputy State Coroner, Evelyn Vicker — the original coroner to read Ms Wensley's file — has said the details in it led her to form the view she did not die by suicide. 'To me, it was an unlawful killing,' she said. 'What we've got is evidence . . . she didn't pull the trigger herself. 'Both psychologically and forensically to me . . . Amy wouldn't have committed suicide at that point in time.' Amy's mother, Nancy Kirk, has revealed she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she sobbed on the day she died, claiming Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument. The argument — which was heard and seen by witnesses — happened 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. Officers initially treated Amy's death as suspicious, but detectives later ruled it a suicide. As part of their investigation, Bartlett and Sandy also enlisted University of WA applied anatomy and biomechanics professor Timothy Ackland, who says the evidence 'hasn't been weighted in the best way possible'. 'Personally, I try to remain dispassionate as much as I can and that serves me very well in most of other cases that I'm involved in,' he said. 'But I guess this one's a little bit different. 'It's gone on for some time and I just get the feeling that the evidence hasn't been weighted in the best way possible for Amy to get justice.' Sandy said following season one of the podcast, WA Police reopened the investigation into Ms Wensley's death and updated the brief of evidence for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider. 'We've had a massive response from the public who are passionate about The Truth About Amy being realised and somebody being held accountable for her death,' she said. 'And now more people involved in the investigation of Amy Wensley have come forward saying that they knew she didn't kill herself from the start, but were, in some cases, shouted down – literally. 'So now the family is concerned, and rightly so, that there are still people in power, with enough sway, to prevent justice in Amy's case from being realised. 'We owe it to Amy's family, along with every other family whose investigation into their loved one's death has been botched to see this through.' Anyone with information can email thetruthaboutamy@ or leave an anonymous tip at Lifeline 13 11 14
Perth Now
26-04-2025
- Perth Now
Ex-coroner's bombshell revelations over Amy's death
A retired senior coroner believes Amy Wensley was the victim of an unlawful killing and says there is evidence which shows she did not pull the trigger despite police initially finding she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The bombshell revelations are revealed as Seven West Media on Sunday launches season two of its investigative podcast, The Truth About Amy, hosted by award-winning journalists Liam Bartlett and Alison Sandy. Ms Wensley, 24, was found dead behind her bedroom door in her Serpentine home in 2014 with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Her important belongings were in a car, along with her two daughters — an apparent sign she was about to leave the house she shared with her partner, David Simmons. But despite this, the awkward position of her body, and the grave suspicions of the very first police on the scene, detectives later decided the death was a suicide — and lifted the forensic shutters around the room. After an inquest in 2021, now Deputy State Coroner Sarah Linton made an open finding, meaning she could not determine if Ms Wensley's death was a suicide, homicide — or an accident. But in an extremely rare interview, the former Deputy State Coroner, Evelyn Vicker — the original coroner to read Ms Wensley's file — has said the details in it led her to form the view she did not die by suicide. 'To me, it was an unlawful killing,' she said. 'What we've got is evidence . . . she didn't pull the trigger herself. 'Both psychologically and forensically to me . . . Amy wouldn't have committed suicide at that point in time.' Amy's mother, Nancy Kirk, has revealed she phoned her daughter and listened to her as she sobbed on the day she died, claiming Mr Simmons had 'grabbed me by the throat and thrown me on the ground' during an argument. Amy Wensley Credit: Unknown / Supplied The argument — which was heard and seen by witnesses — happened 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. Officers initially treated Amy's death as suspicious, but detectives later ruled it a suicide. As part of their investigation, Bartlett and Sandy also enlisted University of WA applied anatomy and biomechanics professor Timothy Ackland, who says the evidence 'hasn't been weighted in the best way possible'. 'Personally, I try to remain dispassionate as much as I can and that serves me very well in most of other cases that I'm involved in,' he said. 'But I guess this one's a little bit different. 'It's gone on for some time and I just get the feeling that the evidence hasn't been weighted in the best way possible for Amy to get justice.' Sandy said following season one of the podcast, WA Police reopened the investigation into Ms Wensley's death and updated the brief of evidence for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider. Amy Wensley and David Simmons. Credit: Unknown / Facebook 'We've had a massive response from the public who are passionate about The Truth About Amy being realised and somebody being held accountable for her death,' she said. 'And now more people involved in the investigation of Amy Wensley have come forward saying that they knew she didn't kill herself from the start, but were, in some cases, shouted down – literally. 'So now the family is concerned, and rightly so, that there are still people in power, with enough sway, to prevent justice in Amy's case from being realised. 'We owe it to Amy's family, along with every other family whose investigation into their loved one's death has been botched to see this through.' Anyone with information can email thetruthaboutamy@ or leave an anonymous tip at Lifeline 13 11 14
