Finding into death of Peter Robert Williams

IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE Court Reference: COR 2012/1116

FINDING INTO DEATH WITHOUT INQUEST Form 38 Rule 60(2) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 I, JUDGE IAN L. ORAY , State Coroner having investigated the death of PETER ROBERT

WILLIAMS without holding an inquest: find that the identity of the deceased was Peter Robert Williams born on 15 October 1953 and the death occurred on 26 March 2012 at 59 Yarcombe Crescent, Craigiebum, VIC from: 1 (a) blood loss from a single stab wound to the chest Pursuant to section 67(2) of the Coroners Act 2008, I make findings with respect to the following circumstances:

1. The circumstances surrounding the death of Peter Robert Williams were fully investigated and Josina Johanna Pitt was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, manslaughter in respect ofMr Williams' death. On 11 December 2012, Ms Pitt was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of Mr Williams. The circumstances are described in the attached sentencing remarks in the matter of R v Pitt [2012] vsc 591.

2. Mr Williams was a 58 year old man who lived with his defacto pminer, Josina Pitt, at the time of his death. Mr Williams ran an IT electronic repair business from their home.

Mr Williams was a father of two and a grandfather.

3. On 26 March 2012, Mr Williams arrived home at approximately 7.20pm after being out most of the day. Ms Pitt was at home and had opened a bottle of wine at approximately 1 of3

4.30pm. Ms Pitt had been speaking to Mr Williams' mother on the phone for just over an hour, ending the call when Mr Williams arrived home. Ms Pitt was angry about issues she had been speaking with Mr Williams' mother about on the phone. Ms Pitt commenced cooking dinner.

4. Mr Williams entered the house via the garage and the two commenced a conversation.

Mr Williams observed that Ms Pitt had been drinking and expressed unhappiness about it. Ms Pitt responded in anger about Mr Williams' daughter living with his mother, which Mr Williams denied. Ms Pitt stated that the conversation continued for about five minutes and she got angrier over this time.

5. Ms Pitt described herself as in a 'pretty wild' state by this time and told Mr Williams to 'get away or I'll get this knife and I'll get you'. She pulled a knife out of the knife board and as Mr Williams was moving toward her, she stabbed him once in the upper chest.

Mr Williams said 'you hurt me, you hurt me', left the kitchen and went into the garage where he collapsed and died quickly from severe blood loss.

6. Ms Pitt then put the knife in the sink and washed it. She did not attempt to hide it or destroy the evidence.

7. About five minutes later, Ms Pitt went into the garage to check on Mr Williams. She expected him still to be alive and angry and took a meat clever to protect herself.

Ms Pitt found Mr Williams lying on the garage floor. She checked on him and found that he was dead.

8. Ms Pitt then started to clean up some of the blood in the area between the kitchen and garage. She then went next door to the neighbour's house. The neighbour called an ambulance and the police, and then followed Ms Pitt back to the garage. Two other neighbours arrived at the scene, one a nurse. The nurse attempted CPR despite observing Mr Williams to be dead. Ms Pitt was very upset by this stage and kept saying that she had done it, she had stabbed him, but that she did not mean to 'do this' (kill him).

9. Ms Pitt was interviewed at the Broadmeadows Police Station and admitted all of the above facts.

10. Mr Williams died at his home on 26 March 2012, from a single stab wound to the chest that resulted in cardiorespiratory arrest due to massive blood loss.

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I convey my sincerest condolences to Mr Williams' family and friends on his tragic death in 2012.

Pursuant to mle 64(3) of the Coroners Court Rules 2009, I order that this finding be published on the internet.

I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following: Mrs Keera Williams, Senior next of kin DSC Matthew Tuininga, Victoria Police Investigating Member Signature: ��

JUDGE IAN L. GRAY �

STATEC ER Date: J }iJJ 3 of3