'Not enough evidence' to determine young woman's cause of death, inquest finds
Warning: This story contains distressing details and mentions suicide.
A coroner has been unable to determine if a young woman's death in 2022 was the result of suicide or homicide.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.
Teresa O'Sullivan found there was not enough evidence to determine Sonya Dutton's cause of death. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
Barkindji woman Sonya Dutton, 31, was found in the backyard of her family's Wilcannia residence on March 29, 2022 — four days after she was reportedly last seen.
On Tuesday, New South Wales coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said she recognised there were deficiencies in the initial police investigation, which had ruled Ms Dutton died by suicide.
In October 2023, the state coroner requested a second investigation into the 31-year-old's death.
The current inquest was subsequently launched in early 2025.
As she handed down her findings at the Broken Hill Local Court today, Ms O'Sullivan said the second investigation had revealed "allegations of intimate partner violence" and gaps in evidence.
"[This] gave rise to a suspicion that Sonya might have died as a result of homicide," the coroner said.
Police investigations
The inquest previously heard from the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the initial investigation, Detective Senior Constable Madeleine Fleming, who acknowledged there were deficiencies in the investigative process.
This included a lack of formal statements from key witnesses and failing to collect CCTV footage from a person of interest in the case.
Teresa O'Sullivan described Sonya Dutton as a "cherished mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin and friend". (Supplied with family's permission)
But Senior Constable Fleming, who only had one year of experience as a detective when she was assigned to the case, also outlined a lack of structure and support in the Broken Hill office.
She provided the coroner with a list of suggestions to improve police practices, which have been included in the recommendations.
In contrast, Ms O'Sullivan described the second police investigation as professional and thorough.
She noted that it involved members of the homicide squad, including Detective Senior Constable Patrick Chew, who said that they visited Wilcannia six times and took 44 statements.
The second police investigation was led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Smith. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
"A number of Sonya's family members and other community members expressed their appreciation for their work, and the thoughtful and respectful way in which they approached the community," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"It is clear that there are lessons that can be learned from the approach that was taken by police in the second investigation."
Not enough evidence
In handing down today's findings, Ms O'Sullivan pointed to signs that showed Ms Dutton could have died either by suicide or homicide.
Ms O'Sullivan noted the 31-year-old's contact with mental health services in Wilcannia and previous suicide attempts.
She also highlighted the nature of Ms Dutton's relationship with her ex-partner, saying it was probable she experienced intimate partner violence.
Ultimately, though, on all the evidence provided, the coroner said no conclusion could be drawn.
"I accept the submission of counsel assisting about the limitation of the evidence available, some of which may be attributable to the initial police investigation,"
she said.
Teresa O'Sullivan said there were deficiencies in the initial police investigation into Sonya Dutton's death. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
Ms O'Sullivan made five recommendations, including that the NSW Police review its supervision and support processes at the Barrier Police District.
She also asked NSW Police to review the strengths of the second homicide investigation and consider how they could be implemented into core police training.
'I don't think it will ever stop hurting'
Throughout the inquest, Sonya Dutton's family were present and closely engaged by the NSW coroner.
The court heard community members describe the mother-of-two as "happy-go-lucky", but she had also "experienced great trauma and loss throughout her life" with many people close to her dying.
The inquest also previously heard emotional statements from family including her father, Keith Dutton.
"I don't think it will ever stop hurting," he said.
"I want to acknowledge the effort that has been put into this inquest.
"This has been important so people can see … and see what happened to Sonya is being taken seriously."
Sonya Dutton was described by community members as "happy-go-lucky". (Supplied with family's permission)
Mr Dutton joined via audio visual link from a hospital bed, along with the Wilcannia community, to hear the coroner's findings.
Ms O'Sullivan recognised that while this would mark the end of the formal coronial process, the Wilcannia community would still need to heal.
"I acknowledge it does not mark the end of the grieving for Sonya's family and friends, and those within the Wilcannia community, who have been so deeply impacted by her passing," she said.
In conversations with the ABC before the findings were handed down, the family expressed their wish in needing time before commenting on the outcome of the inquest.
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