The truth of Dianne Brimble's last day revealed as family tells of their relief
THE truth about Dianne Brimble's sordid death on a cruise ship has finally been set in stone.
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IT has taken eight years, 72 inquest days, more than 80 witnesses, a Supreme Court trial and millions of taxpayer dollars.
Now the truth about Dianne Elizabeth Brimble's sordid death on the floor of a cruise ship cabin has finally been set in stone by the coroner who began it all.
Coroner Jacqueline Milledge yesterday finished what she started on March 9, 2006, handing down her finding that the 42-year-old mother of three died from the effects of the illicit drug fantasy, administered by "a known person".
"She was unknowingly drugged by unscrupulous individuals who were intent on denigrating her for their own gratification," Ms Milledge said at the inquest at Balmain Local Court in Sydney's inner-west.
The formal finding echoed the sentiments that opened the inquiry, when counsel assisting the inquest Ron Hoenig said the evidence would show Ms Brimble had been "preyed upon" by a group of eight men she met just hours after boarding the P&O cruise ship Pacific Sky.
Ms Milledge's finding contrasted evidence presented to the Supreme Court when one of eight original "persons of interest" faced a trial for manslaughter.
Mark Robin Wilhelm, who admitted having sex with Ms Brimble shortly before she died, pleaded guilty in April to supplying the drug fantasy after the Crown dropped the manslaughter charge.
His sentencing judge Rod Howie said the evidence showed Ms Brimble had taken the drug voluntarily and "did so under the influence of alcohol and, therefore, in no way was [Wilhelm] responsible for the effects of the drug on Ms Brimble".
However, Ms Milledge said Ms Brimble was on a family holiday and simply would not have taken the drug willingly only metres from where her young daughter slept.
"She was a person who lived a decent and innocent lifestyle," Ms Milledge said. "She had embarked on her holiday with her 12-year-old daughter and other family members, hardly indicative of a woman who intends to cruise, party and engage in a sexual free-for-all.
"Why then would a woman who could not be described as worldly, promiscuous or daring be found naked and dead in a cabin ... dying from the effects of the 'date rape drug' [GHB or fantasy]?"
While Ms Milledge's comments were slammed as "headline grabbing", "inflammatory" and "incredible" by Mr Wilhelm's lawyer Chris Murphy, they were welcomed by Ms Brimble's family.
Her former husband Mark Brimble and her partner David Mitchell were relieved the coroner had given official standing to what they believed.
"Somebody has finally got it right. The way in which her life finished has finally been told," Mr Brimble said.
While Ms Milledge was critical of many involved in the investigation, her most damning comments were reserved for Mr Wilhelm.
"[He] failed to deal decently with Ms Brimble in that crisis," she said.
Ms Milledge will make her formal recommendations, believed to centre around reforms to the cruise ship industry, on Friday.