Finding into death of Angelica Rosa

.IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE

Court Reference: COR 2008 0793 |

FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST

Form 37 Rule 60(1) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

Inquest into the Death of: ANGELICA ROSA

Delivered On: ; 21 September 2012

Delivered At: Coroners Court of Victoria Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

Hearing Dates: 27 September 2010

Findings of: PETER WHITE, CORONER

Police Coronial Support Unit Sergeant David Dimsey

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1, PETER WHITE, Coroner having investigated the death of ANGELICA ROSA |

AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on 27 September 2012 at MELBOURNE

find that the identity of the deceased was ANGELICA CARMEN ROSA born on 28 March 1987 and the death occurred on 24 February 2008 at 23 Roslyn Avenue, Rye 3941 from: 1 (a) MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS TO NECK, THORAX AND ABDOMEN

in the following circumstances:

1. Angelica Rosa was born in Ballarat on 28 March, 1987. She was the youngest of three children. She is survived by her parents and two brothers, Quirino (Rino) her father, Danica

her mother, and her two elder brothers, Victor Rocky and Gaetano Lucky.

2. At the time of Angelica’s birth, the family were living in Ballarat. While she was still an infant her parents divorced but remained close friends, At this time, the family were living in Shepparton and running a coffee shop and café, Angelica was a happy little girl and was much favoured by her brothers and parents. Later, Angelica moved with her mother between Deniliquin, Nathalia and Shepparton. Angelica commenced her primary school education in Nathalia, while retaining close contact with her father and brothers who remained in

Shepparton.

3, When her brother Victor was in the process of completing the final year of tertiary studies undertaken at the University of Ballarat, Angelica and her mother moved to Ballarat to

support him.

4, Thereafter, they all returned to Shepparton where Angelica began her high school education, later completed, following year 10, in Nathalia, Angelica then worked in the hospitality

industry in Echuca,

5. Later, following the ending of an abusive relationship in Shepparton, Angelica moved to Rye

to make a fresh start.

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In December 2007, aged 20 years, Angelica met Timothy Casey in Frankston, A relationship ensued and in January 2008 they commenced living together at the abovementioned Roslyn

Avenue, address.

Timothy Casey was born on 22 December 1978, the second youngest of five children. He grew up at home, and left at the age of 15 or 16. He is the father of two children to a

relationship that had ended approximately two years ago.

On Monday 18 February 2008, Angelica contacted a close friend, Sharon Parslow, in a distressed state. Angelica briefly explained that Mr Casey had smashed her mobile phone, taken her wallet and left the house. Angelica said she didn’t know where Casey was and that

her wallet had contained $35 which was the only money she had access to,

She asked to borrow money from Ms Parslow. The following day, Ms Parslow deposited $30 into Angelica’s bank account. In the days after this call, Ms Parslow tried several times to contact Angelica without success, On Saturday 23 February 2008, Ms Parslow remained so concerned about the welfare of Angelica that she and her husband, Glen, drove to Roslyn .

Avenue, Rye, that afternoon, arriving between 5.30pm and 6.00pm.

Angelica answered the door and burst into tears. When asked where Mr Casey was, Angelica explained that when she awoke, he was not at home and had no idea where he was. Angelica and Sharon Parslow spoke of the night when Mr Casey smashed her telephone. That was on 18 Februaty 2008. Angelica explained that she woke on the night in question and that Mr Casey was going “ape-shit” and he had a knife. Mr Casey cut Angelica’s hand on this

occasion.

About 90 minutes after the arrival of the Parslows, Mr Casey arrived home. He is said to have

beon agitated and annoyed at the Parslow’s presence.

Later that evening, Angelica was showering and Sharon Parslow was using the toilet in the bathroom. Ms Parslow and Angelica were talking for some time whilst Angelica was showering. During this conversation, Ms Parslow noticed what she described as a bite mark on Angelica’s back and a number of bruises on her right hip. Ms Parslow spoke with

Angelica regarding her injuries.

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Duting the conversation, Angelica conceded to Ms Parslow that Mr Casey had kicked and

punched her during a fight, and he had also burnt her with a cigarette while she slept.

Angelica confided to Ms Parslow that she did not want to be associated with Mr Cascy and was preparing to finish the relationship and return to Shepparton the following week. Later that night, Mr Casey contacted Ambulance Emergency and complained of breathing problems,

An ambulance attended and Mr Casey was treated for a self-inflicted injection wound.

Whilst at the scene, ambulance officers also inspected the wound to Angelica’s hand, She

stated she had cut herself at work, The ambulance officers left shortly after.

Investigator’s later made enquiries at Sorrento Smokehouse Restaurant and the Rye Hotel. It

has been determined that this injury had not incurred in the manner stated to the ambulance

_ officers.

On Sunday 24 February, 2008, Sharon and Glen Parslow left Angelica’s address. Prior to leaving, Sharon Parslow urged Angelica to come with them to Shepparton. Angelica refused this offer out of concern regarding the safety of her belongings and the property she rented.

The Parslows left the address,

At approximately 6.30pm, Mr Casey and Ms Rosa attended at Andrea Street, Rye to meet a friend. They remained at this address for hours, until they both left on foot at about 9.20pm and walked towards Melbourne’Road, Rye. Witnesses at this address indicated that Mr Casey

was drinking beer and that Angelica Rosa was drinking water.

At approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, Mr Casey knocked on the front door of an address at Pasadena Street, Rye. He asked the occupant to call him a cab. Whilst waiting for the cab, Mr Casey explained to the occupant that he was looking for a friend’s place and was lost. The

occupant stated that Mr Casey appeared to be intoxicated.

At 9.58pm Mr Casey was collected by a cab in Pasadena Street and conveyed to the intersection of Roslyn Avenue and Dundas Street, Rye. During the short journey, Mr Casey repeated continuously that he had had a fight with his girlfriend, Angelica, and he wanted to

go and see her.

A short time after 10.00pm Mr Casey entered a café bar at 2409 Point Nepean Highway, Rye.

This café was known as Baha Tacos and Tapas. The band employed to play at the venue had

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finished and were packing up. Whilst at the bar, Mr Casey consumed a Victoria Bitter stubby

and a shot of tequila.

Mr Casey spoke to the bar manager about having had a dispute with his girl that night. He explained that they had been in a relationship for five to six years and had kids together. Mr Casey requested to make a phone call. Using the bar manager’s mobile phone, Mr Casey contacted the occupants at Andrea Street, Rye. He asked if Angelica was at the address. The call ceased shortly thereafter.

Mr Casey was standing outside the venue and engaged a band member in conversation. Mr Casey stated that he had been kicked out of his home and was unable to see his children. Mr Casey stated that he had nowhere to sleep the night and had to work in the morning. The band

member suggested to Mr Casey that he could drive him home and Mr Casey accepted.

At approximately 10.55pm Mr Casey left the café bar and went with the band member.

Whilst on route, the band member urged Mr Cascy to be calm when he arrived home and suggested he sleep on the couch. Mr Cascy made mention of his fighting history and said he could be a “fiery little cunt.” The band member dropped Mr Casey outside the house about 10 houses down from Flinders Street and Roslyn Avenue, on the left hand side, after Mr Casey

stated “This is the one.” This description is consistent with the crime scene.

At 11.10pm a person immediately opposite Angelica’s home address, was awoken by voices at 23 Roslyn Avenue, They describe hearing a female say “But I love you” and the male responding by yelling. They describe the male as sounding angry. The witness then described that she heard a slapping sounds and a male person who, the investigators say, was Mr Casey yell at least five or six times “Die bitch, die.” Investigators believe the slapping sound heard was in fact, Mr Casey stabbing Angelica. Shortly thereafter, Mr Casey is heard to say “Move,

Ann, move.”

Police were called to a domestic disturbance at the address and, upon arrival, they were unable to identify the address, They remained in the street and sat listening for a disturbance. When

all was considered quiet, the police left the immediate vicinity.

At this time, a witness observed a male, investigators say was Mr Casey; walk slowly across the carport area of Angelica’s home and into the property next door, in Number 21. Mr Casey

was then observed walk up Roslyn Avenue to two bins outside the scene. Mr Casey was

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observed to drop something into the smaller of the two bins and then return inside Angelica’s

house. Knives were located in the rubbish bins at the front of the premises.

Police returned to the scene and forced entry to the premises by smashing the safety glass aluminium framed sliding door. Mr Casey was arrested at the scene, lying on a bed, a matter of metres from where Angelica lay dead. Mr Casey was interviewed by Homicide Squad

officers and made no comment to investigators.

Timothy Casey was formally remanded in custody and was held at Port Phillip Prison in the Scarborough Unit, on a charge of murdering Angelica Rosa. On 28 March, 2008, the 21st birthday of Angelica, Timothy Casey was found dead in his cell by prison staff following a self-inflicted hanging.

On all of the available evidence I am satisfied that Timothy Casey unlawfully caused the death of Angelica Rosa, on Sunday the 24" of February, 2008.

I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following:

Ms Danica Rosa

Investigating member

Interested parties

PETER WHITE CORONER Date: 21 September 2012

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