Justice close at last for toddler Lily Schettini three years after death in Smithfield Plains home
POLICE are close to making a breakthrough in the death of 18-month-old Lily Schettini - three years after she was found dead in her Smithfield Plains home.
POLICE are close to finalising investigations in the death of 18-month-old Lily Schettini - three years after the little girl was found dead in her Smithfield Plains home.
The development in the long-running investigation follows fresh medical reports that have been matched to evidence gained during intensive inquiries by Major Crime detectives.
Lily's death, on June 1, 2010, was declared a major crime in September of that year after police examined autopsy results that revealed the toddler died as a result of "trauma''.
They declined to say to what extent the physical injuries directly led to her death but detectives at the time said they were investigating whether the toddler may have been assaulted by one of four people who were living at her Smithfield Plains home at the time she died.
Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Des Bray has told the Sunday Mail police have received new medical advice and are close to making an announcement in respect to her death.
"This has been a long and complex investigation. Major Crime Investigation Branch has recently been provided additional expert medical opinion and expect to finalise the investigation in the near future," Det Supt Bray said.
"However, we are unwilling to speculate on the likely outcome at this time."
The four adults living in the house at the time of Lily's death were her mother Jessica, who was interviewed by police at the time, Jessica's de facto partner and another man and woman who were friends of Lily's mother.
Lily's three-year-old sister, Charlotte, was also in the house.
A strong social media campaign to find Lily Schettini's killer has been run through Twitter and a Facebook page Justice4Lily.
More than 700 people have also signed a petition through change.org, demanding Attorney General John Rau hold an independent inquiry into Lily's death.
"According to your legislation, the perpetrator/s of this crime should be held criminally accountable, the site reads.
"We ask for a full, independent investigation into this matter immediately. Please don't let this baby continue to be neglected in death, like she was in life."
Lily's father Michael Schmidt recently paid tribute to his daughter on his Facebook page.
"Can't believe five-years ago today I was sitting in a hospital waiting for u to born and now I'm sitting here thinking about will I'll ever see u again," he wrote on November 25.
"I know not in this life but maybe in the after life."