Inquest into the death of Trudy Michelle Dreyer

LOCAL COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES CORONIAL JURISDICTION INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF TRUDY MICHELLE Inquest:

DREYER 2019/302617 File number:

26 APRIL 2023 Hearing dates:

26 APRIL 2023 Date of findings:

NSW STATE CORONER’S COURT, LIDCOMBE Place of findings:

DEPUTY STATE CORONER CARMEL FORBES Findings of: Identity Findings: The person who died was Trudy Michelle Dreyer Date of death Ms Dreyer died on 19 September 2019 Place of death Ms Dreyer died at 668 Doyles Creek Road, Doyles Creek, NSW Cause of death Ms Dreyer died as a result of gunshot wounds Manner of death The manner of Ms Dreyer’s death was homicide Representation: Mr H Mullen, Advocate Assisting

REASONS FOR DECISION

1. This is an Inquest into the sad and tragic death of Trudy Dreyer. Ms Dreyer died as result of shotgun wounds. Her partner inflicted those wounds upon her shortly before he turned a shotgun upon himself and subsequently died as a result of a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

2. The role of a Coroner as set out in s.81 of the Coroner’s Act 2009 (“the Act”) is to make findings as to:

(a) the identity of the deceased.

(b) the date and place of the person’s death.

(c) the physical or medical cause of death; and

(d) the manner of death, in other words, the circumstances surrounding the death.

3. The issues in this case as to identity, date, place, cause and manner are uncontroversial.

4. The Act requires a Coroner to conduct an inquest in circumstances where a person died as a result of a homicide. (s. 27) In this case there is no further investigation required in relation to the homicide.

5. It should always be borne in mind that inquests are not criminal investigations, nor are they civil liability proceedings intended to determine fault or lay blame on persons involved in the incident.

6. Ms Dreyer was 49 years of age. Her partner was 48 years of age.

7. In late 2017, they met through work.

8. In July of 2019, her partner attended the Singleton Family Support Centre, where he was receiving support and counselling with regards to the relationship. The notes of the meeting in September 2019 reflect that her partner advised a social worker that

things between him and Ms Dreyer were not going well. Ultimately discussions were held regarding healthy relationships, communication strategies and plans for her partner to remove himself from the situation when arguments escalated.

9. Ms Dreyer and her partner were due to leave on a holiday to South America on 23 September 2019, returning on 2 November 2019.

10. On Tuesday 17 September 2019, Ms Dreyer attended Flight Centre where she exchanged some Australian currency to foreign currency in preparation for their overseas trip.

11. On Wednesday 18 September 2019, her partner was rostered to work, however he failed to attend. He advised his employer of his absence via text message, he stated that he would provide a medical certificate for his absence.

12. In telephone messages on the night of the 18 September 2019, conversations revolve largely around the lack of trust that the pair had for each other. The conversations started at about 5:41pm and stopped at about 12:02am on 19 September with her partner telling Ms Dreyer he would be home in the morning.

13. There is a missed phone call on Ms Dreyer’s phone, from her partner at about 5:17am on 19 September 2019. There is no further phone activity on her phone.

14. On Thursday 19 September, her partner was rostered to work. He failed to attend and did not contact the company at any time. The staff attempted to contact him but were unsuccessful.

15. On Monday 23 September 2019, Flight Centre were alerted via their booking system that they had failed to board their flight to South America. Staff attempted to contact the pair, again, unsuccessfully.

16. On Wednesday 25 September, Flight Centre staff continued their attempts, using different methods of contact including Facebook. These attempts were again

unsuccessful. The nature of Facebook allowed staff to see that the messages had been sent but not opened or read by either of them.

17. On Thursday 26 September Flight Centre staff contacted police advising of their concerns. As a result, police were provided with the address and attended the property.

18. At about 3:50pm on Thursday 26 September 2019, Senior Constable Reid and Constable Hall arrived at the Doyles Creek address. Upon inspection of the mailbox, the Constables noted that there was mail with an inked date of 18 September 2019.

There was also a box of “Hellofresh” groceries near the mailbox which had a sticker label with “Wednesday”.

19. As the Constable’s entered the driveway, they observed her partner’s car parked outside the gate. The doors to the gate had been padlocked. The car was locked and unattended. The walk to the property from the driveway was approximately 1km.

20. When the Constable’s reached the property, they observed Ms Dreyer’s vehicle.

Police approached the house and called out in an attempt to raise anyone who may have been inside the property. This was unsuccessful and police entered the house, via an unlocked wooden door. Immediately upon entry, police smelt a strong odour emanating from inside the property.

21. Once inside, police located a male person lying motionless on his back. The male had a significant head injury. There was a black coloured shotgun lying on top of the male’s torso, with the firearm being wrapped around his leg. It was clear to police that the male was deceased.

22. Police continued to inspect the property; they located a female lying motionless on her back on the floor in the kitchen. The female had a gunshot wound to her chest and was deceased.

23. Police continued to inspect the property; no further persons were located. As a result of their observations, police obtained a Crime Scene Warrant at the property and contacted Crime Scene officers who attended and conducted an examination.

24. Both bodies located by police had significant decomposition. Ms Dreyer was subsequently identified via dental records and her partner via fingerprints.

25. The black double barrel shotgun, which was located on the male, was identified as being a Boito, A681, 12 Gauge, side by side, double barrel shotgun, which was registered to her partner. While continuing to search the property, police located two suitcases that were completely packed with clothing and other travel items.

26. Three further firearms were also located leaning against a wall and door, two of the three firearms registered to her partner and the third registered to Ms Dreyer.

27. Police reviewed CCTV footage from the property and noted that there were a number of interactions between them from 15-17 of September, in which they can be heard to be arguing, they are heard to talk about text messages from the past and there are allegations of infidelity.

28. At about 4:07am on 19 September 2019, her partner is seen to enter the property.

This is the last time that he is seen. The OIC is of the belief that the CCTV cameras are motion sensor activated, as they are activated after this time, but only at times when the door appears to move with the wind.

29. On 1 October 2019, a post- mortem was conducted on Ms Dreyer, by Dr Alison Ward, with the direct cause of death being determined to be Multiple Shotgun wounds to the chest and back of head.

30. Based on the investigation conducted by police, I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Ms Dreyer was shot by her partner before he turned the shotgun upon himself and subsequently died as a result of a self-inflicted shot gun wound.

Findings pursuant to s81(1) Coroners Act 2009 Identity The person who died was Trudy Michelle Dreyer Date of death Ms Dreyer died on 19 September 2019 Place of death Ms Dreyer died at 668 Doyles Creek Road, Doyles Creek, NSW Cause of death Ms Dreyer died as a result of gunshot wounds Manner of death The manner of Ms Dreyer’s death was homicide Magistrate Carmel Forbes Deputy State Coroner 26 April 2023 NSW State Coroner’s Court Lidcombe