David Lawrence’s de facto partner Wendie-Sue Dent does not apply for bail in Magistrates Court after being charged with his poisoning murder
THE partner of David Lawrence has not sought bail over allegations she murdered him — and a court has been told he died, as a result of her poisoning, on his 62nd birthday.
- David Lawrence poisoning: It is now a murder investigation
- Prosecutors allege Wendie Dent lived with a sinister secret
THE partner of David Lawrence has not sought bail over allegations she murdered him — and a court has been told he died, as a result of her poisoning, on his 62nd birthday.
Wendie-Sue Dent, 59, of Dapto in NSW, made a brief appearance before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
Dressed in a black cardigan and black-and-red scarf, with her hands cuffed, she glanced briefly toward the public gallery — where Mr Lawrence’s family was sitting.
She made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to face court again in September.
Outside court, Mr Lawrence’s brother Phillip said he and his siblings were “relieved” that charges had been laid.
“It’s been a horrific 18 months for us,” he said.
He, his brothers Rodney and Kym and sister Tracy declined to comment further, saying they did not want to risk prejudicing the case.
Meanwhile, court documents filed by prosecutors allege Dent murdered Mr Lawrence on December 1 last year.
His body was found inside his Godfrey Court home two days later after he had failed to answer calls, including birthday wishes, from his close-knit family.
Dent was arrested as she stepped off a plane at Adelaide Airport on Monday morning following a lengthy and complicated police investigation.
She and Mr Lawrence had been in a relationship for the 18 months prior to his death, and neighbours believed the pair had planned on getting married.
Mr Lawrence had worked in the automotive industry for much of his life, as well as at hardware chain Mitre 10, and was known for his love of fishing, cars and holidays.
His artistic talents, particularly with woodwork, were also highly valued by family and friends, and he received praise for his jewellery boxes and hot-iron etchings.
Although Mr Lawrence had no pre-existing medical conditions, he had become extremely unwell several days before he died.
He ceased all contact with the outside world and received calls on his mobile phone, including on his birthday, that went unanswered.
Neighbours believed he had “died in his sleep”.
In the wake of Mr Lawrence’s death, Dent became embroiled in a Supreme Court legal dispute with his siblings over his estate.
It subsequently emerged that Mr Lawrence’s will had been changed in the weeks prior to his death, and that Dent had been named executor of his substantial estate.
The contents of the court file in that matter are the subject of suppression orders.
Initially, Mr Lawrence’s death was not considered to be suspicious — but that changed due to the results of a toxicology report late last year.
The report prompted SA detectives, with the help of NSW Police, to raid Dent’s home in February.
Details of the toxicology analysis became public a month later, when police revealed it had found lethal levels of opiates in his system.
At the time, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Mr Lawrence also tested positive for other medications, which had not been prescribed to him.
He said Mr Lawrence’s drink and “possibly food” were laced with lethal medications in the days leading up to his death.
Dep Supt Bray said the estate was “big enough to consider killing someone over”.
“Mr Lawrence was a well-known and popular member of the community, who had lived at the same address for more than 30 years,” he said.
“We believe a person very close to David deliberately poisoned him with the intention on killing him.”
He said police were unable to establish a precise time-frame when that happened “but certainly the last dose would have been given very proximate to his death”.
Det Supt Bray said Mr Lawrence’s siblings were not considered to be persons of interest in police inquiries.
Last month, Dent returned to the Morphett Vale home but did not gain access because the locks had been changed.
Following Dent’s arrest, Phillip Lawrence issued a statement.
“Our family and all of David’s close friends are relieved at today’s events,” it read.
“However, nothing can bring our brother and friend back.”