Elly Warren’s loved ones slam Australian authorities as inquest into her death continues

The loved ones of a young Mordialloc woman allegedly killed in Mozambique have blasted Australian authorities for leaving them with “no option” but to launch their own investigation.

Elly Warren was killed in Mozambique. Picture: Aaron Francis

The father of a young Mordialloc woman found dead in Mozambique has slammed Australian authorities for leaving him with “no option” but to investigate his own daughter’s death.

Paul Warren’s daughter, Elly, was discovered face down by local fisherman near a public toilet block in the coastal town of Tofo in November 2016.

An early autopsy revealed the budding marine biologist, who had spent six weeks volunteering in the African nation, had died from asphyxia after inhaling sand.

Mr Warren stepped into the witness box at the Coroners Court on Wednesday to read his victim impact statement as the inquest into Elly’s death entered its second day.

The heartbroken father lashed the Australian Federal Police for not launching its own criminal investigation despite Elly dying in suspicious circumstances.

Mr Warren says he misses his daughter “terribly”. Picture: David Caird

“Australian families need to realise they are on their own when facing the loss of a loved one overseas, particularly when (the death) happens in a third world country,” he told the court.

“Elly was a proud young Australian citizen on a voluntary work consignment and deserved a far more diligent and professional level of commitment by the relevant Australian governments and agencies.”

Mr Warren believes his daughter was moved to the toilet block after she was murdered, noting the sand found in her lungs differed from the “rocky” terrain where she was found.

“The family has felt we have had our backs against the walls right from the start, having no option but to operate and run our own investigation to seek the answers,” he said.

While Mr Warren travelled to Mozambique himself in 2018, the court heard Elly’s mother and her partner hired a private investigator at “great expense”.

Paul Warren travelled to Tofo to investigate his daughter’s death.

Later in the hearing, AFP Commander of International Engagement, Andrew Smith, was grilled by Mr Warren’s barrister Daniel McGlone as to why the AFP decided not to launch its own criminal investigation.

Mr McGlone showed the court a timeline which proved it had a copy of the early autopsy, which had ruled Elly’s death a homicide.

Commander Smith repeatedly told the court he was not involved in the decision, but stated the authority’s position was that crimes should be investigated where they were committed.

He confirmed AFP had offered assistance and resources to Mozambican authorities “numerous” times but never received a reply.

“Without the full co-operation and support from law enforcement in the country, the role that we can play is very limited,” he said.

“We can’t just go into another country and start doing our own investigation.”

Elly was volunteering in Mozambique. Picture: Supplied

The court heard AFP only sent a senior official to Mozambique this year after State Coroner John Cain in February urged them to “move heaven and earth” to get answers.

As a result, it emerged that Mozambican police had finally ruled her death a homicide.

Commander Smith told the court a brief of evidence was now before a Mozambican judge, who could either close the investigation, request the investigation continue or recommend a prosecution be commenced against a suspect.

However, Australian authorities do not have access to the brief because they have not lodged a “mutual assistance request” with Mozambique.

Commander Smith told the court this type of request could only be lodged if the AFP was itself actively investigating, which they were not.

Elly’s stepfather, Dave Cafarella, urged Coroner John Cain to order the AFP to launch a homicide investigation, telling the court they needed evidence that could convict Elly’s killer.

“Seven years later, Elly has had no justice,” he said.

“We must get it for her. We owe it to her as an Australian citizen.”

Elly’s mother cried as she told the court she “mourns the loss of the life that Elly had the right to enjoy”.

“I miss her today, tomorrow and will miss her for the rest of my life,” she said.

Coroner Cain will investigate the cause and circumstances of Elly’s death before handing down his findings at a later date.

The inquest continues.