Coroner's Finding: Veronica Corstorphine

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the death of Veronica Corstorphine.

Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Veronica Corstorphine; b) Mrs Corstorphine died as a result of being smothered with a pillow by her daughter, Natalie Maher; c) The cause of Mrs Corstorphine’s death was asphyxiation; and d) Mrs Corstorphine died, aged 71 years, on 3 October 2019 at 34 Keane Street, South Launceston, Tasmania.

In making the above findings I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mrs Corstorphine’s death. Relevantly, that material includes:

• Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Affidavits establishing identity and confirming life extinct;

• Report – Dr Donald Ritchey, Forensic Pathologist;

• Report – Forensic Science Service Tasmania; and

• Prosecution brief.

I am satisfied to the requisite legal standard that Natalie Maher smothered her mother during the evening of 3 October 2019.

After killing her mother, Ms Maher used her credit card to purchase airline tickets and, two days later, flew from Launceston to Perth via Melbourne.

Several weeks later Mrs Corstorphine’s significantly decomposed body was found by police.

Ms Maher was arrested in Western Australia on 7 November 2019 charged with and convicted of murder. Appeals against that conviction were dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court of Australia.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mrs Corstorphine’s death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mrs Corstorphine.

Dated: 4 March 2024 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner