Elderly Cranbrook couple plead guilty to failing to report death of a Malaysian national who had overstayed her visa

A couple have pleaded guilty to failing to report the death of an illegal immigrant at their property, as they recall the woman’s suffering from a “fungus-like” growth in her mouth.

AN elderly couple have admitted failing to report the death of a woman – who was an illegal immigrant – at their Cranbrook property, with the court hearing the woman had refused to seek medical treatment because she was scared of being deported.

Anthony Raymond Donald and Johanna Marolina Donald appeared before Acting Magistrate Sam Mollard in Hobart on Friday over one count each of failing an obligation to report a death.

The pair pleaded guilty to not reporting the death of Malaysian national Soo Lan “Susie” Chuah, who was 65 and living in a caravan on the couple’s property when she died.

The prosecutor told the court Ms Chuah’s visa had expired in May last year.

The prosecutor said Mrs Donald told police in an interview in November last year she was aware Ms Chuah had become ill after Ms Chuah cried and showed her the inside of her mouth.

Mrs Donald, who was 71 at the time, told police she believed Ms Chuah had mouth cancer after observing the woman’s “white, fungus-like” mouth, which she described as “gross” and smelling “like rotting flesh” – an image she still had nightmares about.

Mrs Donald recalled the woman refused to seek treatment because she was illegally in Tasmania.

Mrs Chuah died on August 11 last year.

Johanna Marolina Donald and Anthony Raymond Donald outside the Hobart Magistrates Court.

The prosecutor told the court Mr Donald had told police in an interview in November last year he had directly told the person living in the caravan with Mrs Chuah “this isn’t right” when he discovered her visa had run out and she was refusing antibiotics for what was initially a bad tooth.

Mr Donald, 77 at the time, told police he had asked the person not to bury Ms Chuah on his property if she was to die.

He told police he was afraid reporting the death would land the couple in trouble after they had allowed someone with an expired visa to stay with them.

“He did not know Susie was buried on the property until the day police came,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Mrs Chuah was said to have been “gasping for air and incontinent” two days before her death.

Mrs Chuah’s body was recovered by police on November 25 last year with an autopsy revealing no evidence of foul play, the prosecution told the court.

Defencelawyer PhilippaMorgan told the court Mrs Donald was worried reporting the death would result in Mrs Chuah’s remains being sent to Malaysia against her wishes.

Ms Morgan said Mrs Donald felt a “strong moral obligation to step away and honour the wishes of Susie”.

Acting Magistrate Mollard said the sentencing submissions were taking up too much of the court’s time, so he adjourned the matter to reappear on December 2 when the couple is expected to be sentenced.