Autopsy results confirm Elly Warren was murdered in Mozambique

A SERIES of ill-fated circumstances led Elly Warren’s life to be tragically cut short. Now her family has been left to piece together her final moments from an autopsy report.

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A SERIES of ill-fated circumstances led Elly Rose Warren’s life to be tragically cut short.

If the toilet block was unlocked, or her flight home was a few days earlier or even if Elly decided to stay with friends from her diving group instead of heading to a bar alone, she might be here today.

But her family has been left to piece together her final moments from the information in an autopsy conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Elly Rose Warren, 20, was in Mozambique on a volunteer and diving trip when her body was found near a toilet block on November, 10.

The avid traveller was due to fly home from Mozambique the week she was killed.

Initial reports from Mozambique authorities suggested Elly did not meet with foul play.

Elly Warren

But her dad Paul Warren has spoken exclusively with the Herald Sun about the results of an autopsy which proves otherwise.

The autopsy was directed by Dr Patricia Klepp who has almost 40 years’ experience as a forensic pathologist in Johannesburg.

The results found no drugs in her system, sand in her lungs, a full bladder and no signs of rape or sexual assault.

Elly’s body was discovered by local fishermen metres away from a locked toilet block at Tofo beach.

The autopsy, shown to the Herald Sun, said Elly’s facial injuries, particularly bruising and abrasions around her mouth had become more marked with time suggesting she was held face down in the sand resulting in death by aspiration.

The results also found a large amount of sand in her left and right bronchi.

“Dr Klepp told me she was very surprised to see how much sand was still in Elly’s mouth, through both bronchi tubes leading to her lungs,” Mr Warren said.

“Any qualified doctor knows that this was not an accidental death. She was murdered.”

Mr Warren said his daughter was with friends from a diving group before she went to Victor’s Bar at Tofo Beach.

Australian girl Elly Warren who was murdered in Mozambique. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

He said her friends felt guilty for allowing Elly to walk there by herself, so they decided to see if she made it to the bar.

“They reported that they saw her in the bar but I’m not sure whether they sat down and had drinks with her or not,” Mr Warren said.

It’s then understood Elly left Victor’s Bar to go to the toilet which was where she was attacked.

The autopsy results showed Elly had a full bladder, leading Mr Warren to believe she was attacked before she had the chance to go to the toilet.

“Elly was attacked near the bar so someone from the bar has got to know what happened,” he said.

“One thing I’d really appreciate is having a chat to her friends who she was with, they were the last ones to see her.”

Mr Warren said he was very concerned about the dangers of Mozambique especially for young women travelling alone.

“I think it’s very dangerous, a lot of local people there are saying there has been an increase in rapes,” he said.

“I feel that Mozambique police are covering things up to save their tourism.”

Paul Warren at home in Seaford after learning his daughter Elly Warren was murdered while on a diving trip in Mozambique. Picture: Ian Currie

Mr Warren urged parents with daughters travelling to dangerous countries to thoroughly research.

“If I had of known about the beach boys beforehand, I would’ve warned Elly because what they do is befriend you then take advantage of you.”

The Australian Federal Police said because the incident occurred in Mozambique, the investigation is the responsibility of the Mozambique authorities.

“The AFP has discussed this matter with Mozambique authorities to ascertain any assistance that could be provided,” a spokesman said.

Elly’s mum Nicole and stepdad Dave Cafarella said they trusted the appropriate authorities conducting the investigation along with the AFP and the Victorian Coroner’s inquiry.

The Herald Sun understands the Victorian autopsy results will be released in January but Mr Warren was told the Victorian Coroner did not see any difference from the results found in the autopsy in conducted Johannesburg.

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