Magistrate sought death benefits of court clerk day after her tragic death, family claims

A magistrate earning $324,000 a year sought the superannuation death benefits of a court clerk he was dating within 24 hours of her tragic death, it’s claimed.

Rodney Higgins secured the $180,000 death benefit that had been left to Ms Petrie’s mother in her will.

A magistrate who started a relationship with his court clerk inquired about securing his fiance’s superannuation death benefit within 24 hours of her tragic death, it has been claimed.

Sources close to Ashleigh Petrie’s family say they were told by Rest Super that Rodney Higgins had contacted them the day after Ms Petrie was killed after being hit by a car in October 2019.

The 23-year-old clerk from Mirboo North had announced her engagement to Mr Higgins only weeks earlier.

It has now been revealed Mr Higgins secured the $180,000 death benefit that had been left to Ms Petrie’s mother in her will after a protracted legal fight.

Family sources said the family had been left devastated by Ms Petrie’s final wishes being disrespected.

Ashleigh Petrie and Rodney Higgins. Picture: Instagram

“What we want is for him to back off,” a source told the Herald Sun.

“There are two sides to this story. One is the strict legalities of it, the other side obviously is the moral side of it.”

The Herald Sun has been told Ms Petrie changed her will shortly before her death after realising her beneficiary was still listed as a former partner.

“Her mother had bought a new little unit and they were talking about their wills,” the source said.

Ms Petrie. Picture: Instagram

“Ashleigh changed her will because an ex partner was a beneficiary.”

It is understood Mr Higgins, who earns $324,000 a year, is due to retire with a month.

He has told friends he plans to continue working as a reserve magistrate where he would be paid $1,380 a shift.

After the controversial court relationship was revealed staff across Victoria’s magistrates’ courts were warned over inappropriate relationships with judicial officers.

Concerns had been raised with Victoria’s Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen over a power imbalance between Mr Higgins and Ms Petrie.

The young clerk told the paper she was aware of several relationships between magistrates and junior staff.

Complaints made to the Judicial Commission Victoria by Shadow Attorney-General were not upheld.

A coronial inquest ruled Ms Petrie’s death a suicide.

The investigating coroner determined that the finding would not be published.

Comment has been sought from Mr Higgins through the Melbourne Magistrates Court.