Shattered families disappointed by coronial findings
Grieving families of two police officers brutally shot in cold blood during the deadly Wieambilla ambush have been dealt another blow by “disappointing” court findings.
Days shy of the third anniversary of the callous ambush that left six people dead, the family of Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, are reeling after the Queensland coroner delivered the final report into the horrific attack.
The family hoped Coroner Terry Ryan’s findings would lead to change for frontline police after facing five weeks of testimony during the 2024 inquest.
Instead, family and friends shook their heads in disbelief as Mr. Ryan realized that the attack was not an act of terrorism but that of a psychotic trio experiencing a twisted, shared delusion.
“Matt and Rachel’s lives were precious,” said Judy McCrow, Rachel’s mother.
“Their deaths could have been prevented under such horrific and cruel circumstances. We will forever continue to mourn and live shattered lives because we love and miss them so much.”
Outside court, their carefully prepared statements were rewritten to express their great sadness and disappointment with the findings.
“We thank the coroner for his work,” Ms. McCrow said on behalf of both families.
“Like us, he had to watch the harrowing videos and listen to every disturbing, disgusting detail.
“We hoped this would be enough to guide urgently needed reforms.
“Any court recommendations must prevent a tragedy like this from happening again, and while we are initially disappointed with the court recommendations, we need time to read, process and respond to the findings.”
Key recommendations include the development of drones to improve police safety and mandatory health assessments for gun license applicants.
“We believe it is vital that the recommendations are implemented immediately, not just in Queensland but across Australia,” Ms McCrow said.
“Costs should not be a limiting factor… if more police lose their lives, how much will it cost in terms of financial and psychological trauma-related factors?”
“Every police officer, now and in the future, must be protected and have the skills and ability to keep others safe.”
Ms. McCrow said she would channel the family’s pain and advocate for change.
“There will never come a day, hour, minute or second when we stop thinking about Matt and Rachel,” he said.
“We implore the authorities not to forget Matt and Rachel to make sure they did not die in vain.”
This was a defense that Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon immediately took before the coroner’s court.
“This is a very important day for families and these lives have been lost,” Ms Scanlon said.
“It was a dark day for the Queensland Police Service… and we will never lose sight of this, the loss of our officers and the loss of a member of the community.”
