‘I have never faced this problem before’: Forensic expert blocked in Tasmanian teenage death case

A consultant forensic pathologist with 50 years’ experience says he has been “hamstrung” in his attempts to investigate the tragic Tasmanian case of teenage girl Eden Westbrook. Find out why>

Eden Westbrook, 15, was deemed to have died by suicide in the Tasmanian east coast township of St Helens during 2015. But evidence has since come to light that she may have in fact been murdered. Picture: Supplied

An independent expert with 50 years’ experience has been knocked back from accessing autopsy photographs in the case of Eden Westbrook – a career-first that has left him “astounded”.

Consultant forensic pathologist Byron Collins was engaged to review the coronial file in the tragic 2015 case, in which 15-year-old Eden was found hanging in a tree in central St Helens.

While Eden’s death was quickly deemed a suicide, her family believes she was in fact murdered – with the teenager’s mystifying story now reaching a wide and national audience.

But when Dr Collins recently requested Eden’s file, he was refused access to her autopsy photos – which he said had never occurred before in his career.

“I have never faced this problem before and I’m astounded that it has occurred,” Dr Collins told podcaster Jay Walkerden in this week’s episode of his podcast into Eden’s case, Our Little Edey.

Consultant forensic pathologist Byron Collins.

“It beggars belief that it has occurred. I understand that the photographs are very sensitive and can be very disconcerting and upsetting to people who may view them.

“But as far as I’m concerned, as a consultant forensic pathologist who has been retained in this case or any other case … I fail to understand the reasoning behind any refusal and it’s not occurred in any requests that I’ve made ever over my career.”

Dr Collins said the autopsy photos were essential in any post mortem examination, and needed in order to conduct a full review.

“I’m not a little hamstrung – I’m totally hamstrung and totally frustrated, because I can’t provide a complete review of the circumstances in this particular case.”

He said there was also no avenue to appeal the decision.

The Mercury reached out to Tasmania’s Coronial Division for a response, but was told the “issue around the refusal for the release of the autopsy photos is not a matter for comment”.

The Mercury also contacted Attorney-General Guy Barnett, specifically questioning if he would consider intervening or order the coroner to hold a full public inquest – as done in the case of another young Tasmanian, Jari Wise, by his predecessor Elise Archer.

Podcaster Jay Walkerden, left, and veteran television journalist Liz Hayes have both been investigating the case of Eden Westbrook. Picture: Nine Network

Mr Barnett did not comment on a possible intervention, and also responded that the release of information in relation to a coronial investigation was normally a matter for coroners.

However, he said he would look into the matter.

“I have asked my department to make enquiries about the circumstances of the request and the release of information in relation to coronial matters,” he said.

Eden’s father and mother Jason and Amanda Westbrook said they were “in shock” after hearing Dr Collins had been knocked back from seeing his daughter’s autopsy photos.

Mr Westbrook said the photos were particularly critical, as two of his other daughters said they noticed, when applying Eden’s makeup for her funeral, that she had “shattered” teeth and bruising around her neck.

Since learning of their daughters’ concerns, the Westbrooks have been asking questions about whether these injuries could be signs of a struggle, and potential evidence that Eden did not die by self harm.

“There’s things that need to be looked at. I don’t want to look at the photos and nor does Amanda – but Byron Collins, he’s qualified and trained and he’s able and he wants to look at them,” Mr Westbrook told the podcast.

“Now we can put that to bed, we can be given a definitive answer on whether there was blunt force trauma to Eden’s face, teeth, or bruising to her neck.

“It can be explained, through those photos, if they’re there or if they’re not. Why they’re not providing them and giving us closure on that as parents is mind-blowing.”

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