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Libby McKay’s family believes there is new hope for justice seven years after she fatally fell from a move.
The police intend to seek legal advice on the possibility of pressing charges.
The move comes after a second internal review of the death last year, which involved re-interviewing witnesses and consulting experts.
Libby Frances McKay, 27, died at Christchurch Hospital on June 14, 2013, five days after apparently falling from a ute traveling down Halswell Junction Rd.
READ MORE:
* Second police review of the investigation into the death of Libby McKay in 2013
* How did Libby McKay die ?: New report questions her partner’s version.
His partner, Michael Brown, who later moved to Australia, was driving the car. He said he fell and sustained fatal head injuries.
The initial police investigation found no evidence to press charges.
Detective Inspector Mark Chenery said Stuff a detective superintendent reviewed the case last year.
“As a result of that review, further investigations have been carried out, including further witness interviews and expert consultations.”
While the investigation was ongoing, Chenery did not provide details about the people who were spoken to or re-interviewed.
“Once the investigations are completed, the opinion of Christchurch Crown Counsel will be sought before a final outcome is decided.”
McKay’s mother, Pauline Webby, said Stuff it had been “seven long years” since her daughter’s death.
STUFF
Libby McKay died at Christchurch Hospital in 2013, five days after her partner said she fell off a ute. A new report has cast doubt on her version of events. (video first published in October 2018)
“We support Detective Inspector Chenery’s comments, he sounds optimistic.”
The second review was launched after Webby spent more than $ 20,000 to commission an Australia-based company to carry out its own analysis of the accident, as it was not satisfied with the police investigation.
He said the results of the tests performed, which included a reconstruction of the accident, questioned Brown’s version of events and did not match the injuries his daughter sustained.
Police found a coin on the road where Brown pointed out the spot where McKay fell, having found several small-denomination coins in the back of the car on the driver’s side of his home. Police found no other evidence that McKay had been there.
Brown previously said Stuff he was “not interested” in reports from people who had “spread issues arising out of fake dramas.”
A forensic investigation into McKay’s death was conducted, but Brown did not return to testify. Coroner David Crerar said at the time that McKay’s family could petition the Attorney General to request a new investigation into his death if Brown returned to New Zealand.
Brown had many questions to answer, including why he didn’t call an ambulance immediately or take McKay to the hospital, Crerar said.
McKay and Brown were driving home on Branston St, Hornby, after a party in West Melton in the early hours of June 9, 2013. Evidence gathered by police found that McKay was highly intoxicated.
In an interview with police, Brown said he put McKay in the back seat of his Toyota ute and was driving her home when they argued because she wanted to go back to the party.
McKay had moved into the front passenger seat of the UTE and opened the door while traveling between 50 and 70 km / h.
“So she just opened the door and walked out.”
Brown said he swung hard to the left and made a U-turn. When he got to her, she was “unconscious”.
“I picked her up and put her in the back seat.”
There was no blood when he picked it up, he said.
However, as he drove home, he turned on the interior light and looked at her.
“There was blood everywhere. I panicked.”
He called 111 and passed just as he reached the driveway of his house.
Brown said he was “gurgling blood … it was all blood.”
“The whole time I was yelling ‘Libby Libby Libby’, and she wasn’t responding.”
Detective Sgt. Jason Stewart said investigating police asked Brown if he pushed McKay out of the truck.
He refuted it “unequivocally” each time.
The police considered all possible avenues of crime, but had “no evidence that we could use to press charges.”
Coroner Crerar said police would have to find “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Brown was criminally guilty of McKay’s death to press charges.
“Michael Brown’s version is probably correct. Questions remain,” he said.
Dr. Martin Sage said Coroner McKay’s death was consistent with Brown’s explanation that she fell from the vehicle, but could not comment on whether her fall was “assisted” or not.
