Coroner reopens drowning case after family suspect foul play
He said the young woman’s brother, Tass Stouraitis, had expressed concerns to the court in 2012 that “Ioannidis had died under suspicious circumstances and that Mr Asaad was involved in his death”.
In 2013, the coroner rejected the family’s request for an inquest and ruled her death a case of drowning.
The 24-year-old was found dead in October 2011.Credit: Facebook
“I conclude that the available evidence does not enable me to determine whether Ms. Ioannidis deliberately attempted suicide or died as a result of accident or misfortune, and that the available evidence does not support a finding that any other person caused or contributed to her death,” Spanos said.
In June, the victim’s brother applied for a re-examination of the case, citing new facts and circumstances, including that water levels in the stream may have been lower than first thought and expert opinions that cast doubt on the police and the criminal investigation process.
The coroner noted that the new material presented included an examination of the original autopsy, which Professor Johan Duflou said had overlooked the presence of bleeding on Ioannidis’ neck from possible strangulation.
Other new material included a report by domestic violence expert Professor Kerry Carrington; That report said “Mr Asaad’s motivations and actions on the night of his death warrant further examination”, given that the 24-year-old man attempted to leave his partner before his death.
During the response campaign, the woman’s family said their loved one deserved clarification because of the many unanswered questions and concerns surrounding the conduct of the initial investigation.
In September, Liberal Democrats’ upper house MP David Limbrick also raised the issue in parliament.
“From personal experience, when tragedies occur, the pain can be exacerbated if people feel that the system has let them down,” he said. “More than anyone, it is Louisa’s older brother Tass who deserves answers. He deserves to be recognized for his perseverance. He never gave up on his sister and will never let her be forgotten.
“Her untimely death in 2011 not only affected her family; her story shocked thousands of people in Melbourne amid ongoing concerns for her safety.”
A hearing is expected to be held in the Victorian Coroner’s Court at a later date. No one has been charged in connection with this death.
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