Jury in Leeanne Eatts manslaughter trial inspect Ross River drowning site: Day 5

The jury has heard that Leeanne Eatts lost another son in tragic circumstances on day five of her manslaughter trial. Get the latest.

Barak Brian Austral, 5 (known as Junior) and Jhulio Maximus Arturo Sariago, 3.

A mother facing trial for the manslaughter of her two young sons in a drowning incident lost another son in a motor accident, it was revealed in the Townsville Supreme Court.

Leeanne Chrysilla Eatts, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Barak Brian Austral, 5 (known as Junior) and Jhulio Maximus Arturo Sariago, 3, who drowned in flooded conditions beside the Ross River in Townsville on February 25, 2019.

Eatts’ former husband, Barak Joseph Austral, a Darwin fuel tanker driver, told the court he had previously been in a long-term relationship with Eatts that had produced four children, including Barak.

Under questioning by defence barrister Harvey Walters, Mr Austral agreed that it had been a tragic time for him and Eatts, as their eldest son Joseph had been killed in a motor vehicle accident in the Northern Territory.

Barak Austral, 5, and Jhulio Sariago, 3.

Mr Austral told the court his relationship with Eatts ended when she was pregnant with Barak.

He said he had heard about the boys being missing after getting home from work in Darwin on the evening of February 25, 2019.

Mother Leeanne Eatts. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Detective Senior Constable Michelle Evelyn Harris told the jury she was the primary investigating officer in the case and had spoken to a number of witnesses and virtually worked more than a double shift during the search and subsequent discovery of the boys’ bodies.

Under questioning from the senior defence barrister Tony Kimmins, she said she had obtained a warrant from a judge to get the authority for a phone intercept on the Eatts’ phone, which she explained was to intercept, monitor and record calls.

Det Sen Const Harris said the phone intercept began on March 7, 2019, and was accessed through Eatts’ phone provider.

She said the police also obtained the authority to place and use a surveillance device in the Eatts' home.

Under questioning by Mr Kimmins, she agreed that police officers entered the home in Brett Street, Cranbrook to place the device on the day of the boys’ funeral in Darwin.

The jury then heard recordings of two phone intercepts and one from the covert listening device, involving Eatts and other parties.

Mr Kimmins asked Det Sen Const Harris if she was aware that Jhulio’s father, Nathan Sariago, who failed to fly from Darwin to Townsville today to give evidence, was wanted on a warrant in Queensland.

She replied that she was aware he missed the plane.

He also asked the officer if she was aware that Nathan Sariago had a serious criminal history and she said she knew there was a domestic violence history between him and Eatts.

Mr Kimmins also asked her if she had attended the autopsy on the boys and she said she had done so, and he then asked if the drownings were accidental.

She replied that she had no knowledge of that.

“The boys were found naked from the waist down,” said Mr Kimmins.

“I believe one of them was,” Det Sen Const Harris replied.

“Were any underpants or shorts ever found?” he asked.

“Not that I am aware,” was her answer.

Mr Kimmins said Nathan Sariago had attempted to take the two boys on February 21, 2019, and Det Sen Const Harris said there were no police reports of any attempted abduction.

The prosecution closed its case later afternoon on Monday and Eatts’ defence announced they would not be calling any witnesses, including Eatts herself.

The closing addresses and the summation by Justice David North will be carried out on Tuesday.

Jury’s bus trip to see double drowning site

The jury hearing the case of a mother charged with the manslaughter of her two young sons in a double drowning inspected places of interest around the Ross River and the alleged victims’ Cranbrook home on Monday morning.

Leeanne Chrysilla Eatts, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Barak Brian Austral, 5 (known as Junior) and Jhulio Maximus Arturo Sariago, 3, who drowned in flooded conditions beside the Ross River in Townsville on February 25, 2019.

Mother Leeanne Eatts. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The jury had requested the inspection late last week and Justice David North had agreed to their request and the court organised a bus to take them to the relevant areas already mentioned in the first week of the case.

Justice North told the jury that the Cranbrook locations had more than likely changed dramatically from when the drownings occurred four-and-a-half years ago.

At the time the two boys drowned, Townsville had experienced the worst flooding in modern times.

The father of one of the two boys, who has been flown from Darwin, will give evidence this afternoon and that is expected to close the prosecution’s case.

Originally published as Jury in Leeanne Eatts manslaughter trial inspect Ross River drowning site: Day 5