AFP, private investigators visited Africa for Elly Warren murder case
Despite AFP intervention as recently as July, the mother of Elly Warren — who was believed to be murdered in Mozambique — has admitted she may have to accept that she may never get answers into her daughter’s death.
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The mother of Melbourne woman Elly Warren is learning to accept that whoever is responsible for her daughter’s 2016 death in Mozambique may never be brought to justice.
It comes as the Herald Sun can reveal Australian Federal Police officers visited the African country in July to investigate the unsolved murder.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also been in contact with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi about the case of the 20-year-old.
It wasn’t the AFP’s first trip to Mozambique in an attempt to assist with local police efforts.
Australian officials cannot simply go into a foreign country to investigate the death of a citizen, but governments are able to invite in help during exceptional circumstances.
“The AFP has made offers of assistance to Mozambique authorities and continue to liaise closely through police-to-police channels,” an AFP spokesperson told the Herald Sun.
“AFP officers have travelled to Mozambique on a number of occasions since 2016 in relation to this matter, with the support and permission of local authorities. The most recent travel was in July 2019.
“The AFP continue to liaise with Mozambique authorities regarding the death of Australian National Elly Warren in Tofo, Mozambique in 2016.
“Mozambique authorities have jurisdiction for the ongoing investigation.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation no further comment can be made at this time.”
The 20-year-old’s body was found face down in the sand in the beach town of Tofo on November 9, 2016, after finishing a marine volunteering program in Africa.
She was scheduled to fly home to Melbourne soon after.
Her case is currently before the Victorian Coroner but a cause of death is still yet to be determined almost three years on.
Elly’s mother Nicole Cafarella and stepfather David Cafarella this year enlisted the services of an African private security company, Salama Fikira, in the hope of discovering further information missed during the initial investigations.
Salama Fikira investigators have twice travelled to Mozambique and passed on their findings to the AFP and the Coroner.
“Ultimately, we were hoping to identify a person or persons responsible for Elly’s murder,” Ms Cafarella told the Herald Sun.
“Their (Salama Fikira) involvement was well received in Mozambique as they have a very good reputation within Africa for their high standards and ability to assist governments.
“They were able to provide some excellent feedback and represent us in the Mozambique
courts to ensure that everything was in order.”
After the AFP and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade previously came under-fire for their work on the case, the Cafarellas are now confident that everything possible is being done.
“Knowing that the AFP have been into Mozambique in July gives us hope even though it’s been a long time since Elly’s death,” she said.
“The relationship between Mozambique and Australia has improved over time, which can only be seen as a positive step.
“We are grateful to the Mozambique Government for allowing the AFP into their country as this is not common practice.”
While there has been recent progress, the family is remaining realistic about their hopes for a conviction.
“As time goes on, and considering the lack of evidence which was originally collected at the time of Elly’s death, we are learning to accept the possibility that it is unlikely that someone will be found responsible for Elly’s death,” Ms Cafarella said.
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“We will always hold out hope that one day, perhaps, with new information someone will be found accountable in order to give Elly the justice that she so deserves.
“On a day-to-day basis we still find it difficult to accept that Elly is gone and that the circumstances surrounding her death are still unknown.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office has been contacted for comment.
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