Police search Integrity Care SA and Adelaide home in Ann Marie Smith case

Detectives have searched the offices of Integrity Care and a suburban Adelaide house in their investigation surrounding the death of Ann Marie Smith.

Major Crime squad detectives have searched a home and the offices of a care provider, who was in charge of looking after disabled woman Anne Marie Smith, for electronic and documentary evidence.

Head of Major Crimes Branch Detective Superintendent Des Bray said although Integrity Care SA was under investigation, many workers were not responsible for and may not have known about the neglect Ms Smith suffered.

Ms Smith, 54, died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in April from septic shock, multiple organ failure, severe pressure sores and malnourishment while in full-time care.

She lived in “disgusting and degrading” conditions in her eastern suburbs home and police said her death was preventable.

Ann Marie Smith’s home in Kensington Park, with flowers left at the door, after the tragic circumstances that unfolded at the home. Picture Dean Martin

Images of the inside of Ann Marie Smith's home. Picture: SAPOL

“We know some employees were concerned about operating practices, and we plan to speak to more of them in the coming days,” Supt Bray said.

“Sadly, we haven’t had that same level of co-operation of all employees at Integrity Care SA. In fact, some have steadfastly refused to co-operate and have done nothing to assist the investigation.

“Somebody has died in the most tragic circumstances yet somebody sees fit to answer no questions at all or provide any information that could stop this sort of neglect from happening to anybody ever again.”

He encouraged all employees of Integrity Care SA, anybody who played a role in the running of the company or anyone with information to come forward.

Superintendent Des Bray spoke to the media on Tuesday. Picture: David Mariuz

Supt Bray said SA Police had concerns about the way the company was run and the systems, policies and procedures that should have been in place.

“There is a raft of conditions that apply when you provide care to people. When you sign up to provide care to people who need it, you accept the responsibility and accountability that comes with that to deliver the best care possible for that person.

“We’re interested in how that care was managed and delivered and what processes were in place to ensure Annie and others like her got the best care possible.”

Supt Bray said detectives executed search warrants at the care provider’s office and at a home connected to Integrity Care.

“We expect to be here most of the day.”

There has so far been 78 calls to Crime Stoppers with information around Ms Smith’s life.

Ann Marie Smith happy at a social occasion in 2011 , with her dogs Maggie and Deana. Picture: SAPOL

Following her death, Major Crime launched a manslaughter investigation and found a number of items had been stolen from her home, speeding and red light camera fines were linked to her car and about $70,000 worth of ‘irregular spending’ were missing from the inheritance left to her from her parents who died 2009.

The victim lived alone at her Kensington Park home and relied on a carer for all her needs.

Her care provider, Integrity Care SA, was fined more than $12,000 by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for failing to report her death.

Ms Smith’s carer, Rosa Maria Maione, 69, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in early August.

Rosemary Maione leaves the Adelaide Women’s Prison with her son after being released on bail on August 13. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Ms Maione fronted the Adelaide Magistrates Court last month was granted home detention bail and has been banned from working as a carer as a condition of her bail.

Under other conditions of her release, she will be electronically monitored and gave up her Italian passport and could not apply for an Australian one.