Detective Senior Constable Nicolette Munro reviewed the report on Mrs Bird’s death

A Tasmania police detective has shed light on why she decided to have another look at the sudden death of Helen Bird. Latest from the inquest.

Hobart Magistrates Court, Liverpool St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

A Tasmania Police detective has told an inquest what prompted her to take a closer look at the 2010 death of palliative care nurse Helen Bird.

The 43-year-old mother of three’s death at her home in Blackmans Bay was initially deemed a suicide.

However a coronial inquest in Hobart has heard Mrs Bird’s husband Mark Bird became a “person of interest” more recently due to inconsistencies in his evidence, and because he was later criminally convicted of fraud.

In February 2020 Mr Bird was sentenced to at least two years in jail after pleading guilty over a series of incidents dating from 2007 to 2017.

These included unlawfully setting fire to property and dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage in relation to a fire that destroyed his VW Kombi in 2007, arson and dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage in relation to a fire at his home in Blackmans Bay in 2012 and arson and attempting to dishonestly acquire a financial advantage relating to a fire which destroyed his home in Geeveston in 2017.

Detective Senior Constable Nicolette Munro told the inquest on Wednesday she reviewed the report on Mrs Bird’s death after being involved in investigating one of the fires.

She began conducting follow-up inquiries including examining pictures from the death scene and seeking new affidavits.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos APRIL 30 2021: Hobart Magistrates Court, Liverpool St. Images of Hobart CBD, Tasmania. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

“I didn’t know if it was going to go anywhere. I was just filling the gaps,” Ms Munro said.

“I prepared a determination file for the coroner once I felt there was something there to be looked at.

“It was off the side of my desk for a couple of years.”

Ms Munro also conducted an interview with Mr Bird.

However, on legal advice, Mr Bird declined to answer questions.

“It was essentially a no comment interview,” Ms Munro said.

Counsel assisting the coroner Letitia Fox asked how Ms Munro ascertained Mr Bird had been having an extramarital affair at the time of Mrs Bird’s death.

The inquest was previously shown video of a police interview in which Mr Bird said he had not had any extramarital affairs.

Ms Munro said she looked through the police intelligence system and found a report from a woman relating to Mr Bird.

“Claire James had reported Mark Bird and Lisa Buckingham attended her residence … she indicated she had been in a relationship with him,” Ms Munro said.

The inquest, which had been scheduled to wrap up on Wednesday, will resume on Friday.

Mr Bird is due to give evidence next week.