‘Insidious behaviour’: parents say it’s time for the truth nine years after Eden Westbrook’s death

Nine years after Eden Westbrook’s tragic death at St Helens, her family believe they have evidence that could prove she was murdered. They tell the Mercury their story so far.

On the ninth anniversary of their teenage daughter’s tragic death, a St Helens family says it’s time for the “truth to finally come out”.

Jason and Amanda Westbrook have long pleaded for a fresh inquest into the death of their daughter Eden, who was found in a tree on February 18, 2015, by the foreshore of the picturesque fishing village.

Now, they believe evidence from two of their other daughters could change everything – and prove that Eden didn’t die by suicide as determined by the coroner in 2016, but was murdered.

Speaking to the Mercury nine years after the worst day in their family’s history, Mr Westbrook said he feared the truth would never come out about Eden.

He said his daughter’s case had been obfuscated by “lies”, by police bungling the investigation under the auspices of disgraced Sergeant Paul Reynolds, and the coroner not receiving the full story or all the evidence – much of which is now lost or destroyed.

“I think there’s so much muddied water,” he said.

“I don’t know if the truth will ever come out. They’ve not been interested in reopening it or reinvestigating it.”

Jason and Amanda Westbrook, Eden’s parents. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But Mrs Westbrook said “a lot of work has been done” to reveal “insidious behaviour” surrounding her daughter’s case – and that it would soon “absolutely” be revealed that Eden never died by her own hand.

“There’s too many people in love with truth and justice,” she said.

Mrs Westbrook said her daughter’s case was an example of a turning point in Tasmania, with the state’s justice system about to undergo profound changes – in line with other jurisdictions.

“It’s going to happen,” she said.

“All police in every state have gone through a fine-tooth comb and Tassie’s the only one that hasn’t. It’s their turn to clean up any sloppy, scrappy behaviour.”

In 2022, Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason refused a request from the Westbrooks to reopen the inquest, and re-examine the case through the lens of a possible homicide, saying “there were no signs of trauma”.

Eden Westbrook, centre, with her sisters Hunter, left, and Justine, right. Picture: Supplied

The Westbrooks now say two of their other daughters, Justine and Hunter, have evidence that flies in the face of that finding.

They said when Eden’s sisters were preparing her body for her funeral, and applying her makeup, they noticed she had “shattered” teeth and bruising around her neck – which they said hadn’t been present the day before.

The Westbrooks are concerned these injuries could be signs of a struggle.

“I just thought that perhaps they use tools in the autopsy that may break teeth, I’m unsure of what tools are used,” Mr Westbrook said.

“I just assumed that’s why her teeth were broken. And as for the bruise, I thought maybe the rope had grazed her face. I just didn’t know.”

Eden Westbrook, left, with her sisters Hunter middle, and Justine, right. Picture: Supplied

The observations made by sisters Justine and Hunter are complicated by the fact that up until this point, Eden’s autopsy report – or toxicological findings, death scene photos or forensic testing results of potential DNA or fingerprints found at the scene – have never been released to the family.

Mr and Mrs Westbrook were permitted at one point, a few years ago, to view the autopsy report, but were not permitted to take copies.

It is understood this issue is still in negotiation, but that the autopsy report will ultimately be released to Eden’s family at some stage.

Justine and Hunter recently told the Garden of Eden Podcast about what they observed doing Eden’s makeup at the funeral home.

Hunter told podcast Jay Shetty that she was just 16 at the time, and had wanted to “make it look like (Eden) was just sleeping in her makeup”.

“Eden was in her casket, already dressed. As soon as I walked in and saw her, I felt physically sick,” she said.

“When I was outlining the lips, the pencil lifted the lip up and I saw some of her teeth – her front teeth – and there were cracks in them. It was almost like a glass shattering, like a crack in a glass.”

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

She also said Eden had a large bruise “coming from her ear, down her face” – which the sisters covered with foundation, and locks of her hair, to “make it look like she was just sleeping”.

Mr Westbrook told the Mercury that while his daughters told their parents what they saw back in 2015, the significance of it didn’t hit immediately – until the podcast had more recently re-examined existing evidence.

“It was concerning, but we just put it in the back of our head,” he said.

Tasmania Police wrapped up a fresh round of inquiries last year following the murder claims, saying there was no evidence linking Eden’s death to any other person.

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