‘Genuinely kind’ woman likely died in bed by smothering, court told

A woman has faced a Tasmanian court over the alleged murder of her “phenomenally clever” mother. But mystery remains over Veronica Corstorphine’s precise cause of death. READ THE DETAILS HEARD IN COURT >>

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VERONICA Corstorphine’s body was so badly decomposed by the time police found the “phenomenally clever” 71-year-old that her cause of death remains a mystery.

However, state forensic pathologist Donald Ritchie told the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Friday he believed the Launceston septuagenarian was likely smothered in her bed.

His opinion came after he viewed police body-worn camera footage from the scene, which he said showed Ms Corstorphine – who was discovered partly mummified – “askew on the bed”, and with a pillow over her face.

Ms Corstorphine’s daughter Natalie Maher, 47, has been charged with murdering her mother on or about October 3 last year in Keana Street, South Launceston.

She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Western Australian woman, who left the state on October 5, has since been extradited to Tasmania and is currently in custody in Launceston.

Police found Ms Corstorphine on October 29, with Dr Ritchie conducting an autopsy the following day.

Ms Maher appeared via video link at the preliminary, pre-trial hearing on Friday, when Dr Ritchie told associate judge Stephen Holt he didn’t discover any trauma to Ms Corstorphine’s skull, neck, ribs or other body parts during the autopsy.

Veronica Corstorphine, 71, was found dead in her bed in South Launceston with a pillow over her head, a court has heard. Her daughter Natalie Maher has been charged with her murder. Picture: supplied

“There weren’t any broken ribs or other violent injuries apparent to the organs of the body,” he said.

He said strangulation was unlikely and was unable to provide a cause of death given the condition of her body.

But after viewing the “compelling and disturbing” footage, Dr Ritchie said Ms Corstorphine’s bodily position seemed “suspicious”.

Police previously said Ms Maher had been living with her mother for about two months.

Ms Corstorphine had moved from Queensland to Tasmania several years before her death and was active with the Labor party in Launceston.

Michelle O’Byrne, Labor member for Bass, described her as “phenomenally clever” and “committed, passionate and genuinely kind”.

Also on Friday, Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Baker police were analysing a number of devices including a Samsung Galaxy tablet, two of Ms Maher’s phones, a desktop computer, downloads from phones and Facebook messages.

Ms Maher will return to court on August 31.

Veronica Corstorphine was active with the Tasmanian Labor movement in the years before her death.

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