Ann Marie Smith’s family speak out, revealing their rage and search for the truth about her death
The family of neglect victim Annie Smith have spoken out for the first time, revealing their devastation and regret – as they search for the truth about what went so wrong.
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The brother and uncle of disability neglect victim Annie Smith say they are shocked and devastated by her death and outraged by her suffering, and are searching for answers and justice so that it “never, ever” happens again.
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In an exclusive interview, they told the Sunday Mail how they assumed Annie, a very private woman, was being taken care of under a well-resourced care plan set up by her deceased parents and a disability sector they trusted.
And they have questioned what went so terribly wrong in the seven months between their last contact with Annie and her death, and why she did not call them for help as she had done previously.
“She was supposed to have had 24-hour care, which put us all at ease,” Annie’s paternal, and closest, uncle Glen Smith said.
“When and why that changed, we were not aware.”
Mr Smith, 66, a retired business manager, and Annie’s only and younger brother, 50, who did not want to be named, have spoken publicly for the first time since the 54-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer died on April 6.
She died of severe septic shock, multi-organ failure, severe pressure sores, and malnutrition.
Police said she died in “disgusting and degrading” conditions and spent most of the year leading up to her death living in putrid conditions in a woven cane chair in the family room of her Kensington Park home.
Annie’s carer for several years Rosemary Maione, 69, who was contracted by NDIS provider Integrity Care SA, has been charged with manslaughter. Her death has sparked multiple investigations into her care and broader failings of the disability sector.
“I was devastated,” Glen Smith said.
“I felt numb. I was in disbelief that this could happen and then I felt absolute rage. Rage at the carer, rage at Integrity Care, at the Government, at the NDIS and at myself.
“I blame myself a lot. I let her down and I struggle with that.”
Mr Smith, who lives an hour out of Adelaide, used to regularly visit Annie at the purpose-built home left to her freehold by her parents. She also received at least a $300,000 cash inheritance, furniture, whitegoods and a car.
The last time he saw his niece, in December 2018, she was sitting in the cane chair that belonged to her parents. By her side were her two mobile phones, the landline phone, and remotes for the garage roller, front door and TV.
Annie was unable to walk unassisted. Her uncle said she had put on weight but “looked clean and healthy”.
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From early 2019, Mr Smith’s responsibility as full-time carer for his wife intensified, and he was unable to visit Annie. But they spoke by phone every two to three months. Their last call was seven months before Annie died.
“We just chatted. I asked her if everything was all right and she said ‘yep, all good’. I asked when I could come and see her and she said she’s ‘out and about’, which surprised me. I thought maybe they had a new way of getting her up and mobile because to move her would have required a bit of work. She sounded good.”
Annie’s neighbours have reported she was not seen leaving the home for up to five years before her death.
Her brother said: “I am so angry that she suffered like this.”
The utility worker from Adelaide did not want to be identified to protect his family from potential public backlash over his estrangement from his sister.
He said though their relationship had always been strained, it worsened after their parents’ deaths 13 weeks apart in 2009.
March 2016 was the last time he saw Annie and the first time he met Maione. They were celebrating Annie’s 50th birthday when Annie told her brother she never wanted to see him again.
“I drove past her house almost every day, but she wouldn’t let me in. She would only contact me through her lawyer.
“If I could go back in time I would warn her to be careful and to ask for help, even if it wasn’t mine.”
He said there were many unanswered questions over Annie’s death.
“Up until 2018, when there was the NDIS changeover, she was good as gold,” he said.
“My parents worked very hard to make sure Annie would have everything she needed when they were gone …. As any parent of a child with a disability, this would be their worst nightmare.
“We are worried that those in charge say they will implement changes but they never do and Annie’s death will be forgotten and nothing will have changed.
“This should never, ever happen again.”
He thanked the paramedics who raised the alarm over Annie’s neglect after she arrived at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, 24 hours before her death.
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