Questionable injuries, missing procedures: forensic expert on why he believes Eden Westbrook case should be reinvestigated

A forensic expert with more than 50 years’ experience has continued his investigation into the tragic death of teenager Eden Westbrook, with a lack of access to coronial files hindering a thorough review.

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An independent expert with 50 years’ experience has handed down an interim report into the 2015 death of 15-year-old Eden Westbrook, stating the “credibility of this investigation is severely in question”.

However, consultant forensic pathologist Dr Richard Byron Collins said he needs access to key collections from the full coronial file into Eden’s death before he can provide a full review, including autopsy photos and microscope slides.

Eden was sadly found hanging in a tree in central St Helens, with her death ruled a suicide.

However, Eden’s parent Jason and Amanda Westbrook believe she was in fact murdered and engaged Dr Collins to undertake the review into her death on a pro bono basis.

Forensic pathologist Dr Byron Collins outside court after giving evidence in child abuse murder trial 20 Oct 1998.

Dr Collins was previously denied access to Eden’s autopsy photos, stating he was “astounded” by the decision.

“There were basically three exercises which I, as of yet, have been unable to carry out and therefore unable to provide a final report,” Dr Collins told podcaster Jay Walkerden in the latest episode of his podcast into Eden’s case, Our Little Edey.

“The most important of which were the collection of autopsy photographs taken during the performance of the post-mortem examination, which should have shown any abnormalities that were present and identified by the pathologist.”

Dr Collins said he had also been unable to speak to the pathologist responsible for Eden’s coronial file.

Within the interim report, Dr Collins highlights what he believes are questionable injuries recorded in the coronial file and key procedures he believes should have been performed, such as genital swabs and a thorough examination of the scene.

Eden Westbrook, 15, was found deceased in the Tasmanian seaside township of St Helens in 2015. Eden as a little girl. Picture: Supplied

The injuries include an internal fracture in Eden’s voice box, Dr Collins stated was “uncommon” for somebody who died by hanging.

“A fracture is occasioned by blunt force trauma and that may have been as a result of compression of the neck by another mechanism as opposed to the ligature around the neck,” he said.

“That’s one of the reasons why I am extremely keen to get a hand on the autopsy photographs because there may be something that shows up on the photograph which has for whatever reason, been omitted in the post-mortem examination.”

Dr Collins backed the Westbrook family’s calls for a reinvestigation into Eden’s death, stating that a “lack of detailed examination at the crime scene” and an “apparent incompleteness of the post-mortem examination” bring into question the findings.

Veteran television journalist Liz Hayes is investigating the case of Eden Westbrook, a teenage girl found dead at St Helens in 2015. From left, Eden's father Jason Westbrook, podcaster Jay Walkerden, Liz Hayes, Mercury crime reporter Amber Wilson, and former detective Damian Marrett. Picture: Nine Network

Access to the full report would be required before Dr Collins could be certain.

“I have said in my report it beggars belief why the photographs haven’t been provided, particularly to somebody like myself who is an expert in the area and who’s engaged by the family who have a desperate interest in the accuracy of the autopsy report and the findings,” Dr Collins said.

Changes to the Coroners Act 1995 that would allow the senior next of kin or an approved pathologist or medical practitioner to be provided with copies of reports by the State Forensic Pathologist is currently being actioned by the state’s Attorney-General Guy Barnett.

The bill, along with other justice amendments, was tabled in Tasmanian parliament in early April, with Mr Barnett hopeful of bringing the bill for debate before the May winter break.

Originally published as Questionable injuries, missing procedures: forensic expert on why he believes Eden Westbrook case should be reinvestigated