Inquest into death of Brisbane woman Constance Watcho hears no definitive findings

Joseph Guenzler
Joseph Guenzler Published June 6, 2024 at 1.00pm (AWST)

Warning: This story contains an image of an Indigenous person who has died and details some may find distressing.

Queensland deputy state coroner Stephanie Gallagher has been unable to determine the cause of death of mother of 10 Constance Watcho, whose remains were found at a popular Brisbane walking spot months after her disappearance seven years ago.

Ms Watcho was last seen walking with her partner Przemyslaw "Sam" Sobczak in Kangaroo Point in November, 2017.

Months after she was reported missing in early 2018, the 36-year-old's remains were discovered a few hundred metres from where she disappeared.

Her dismembered bones were found in and around a sports bag at the base of Brisbane's Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Coroner Gallagher said although suspicious, the precise circumstances of Ms Watcho's death remained unknown.

Following Wednesday's hearing, Uncle Mervyn Riley spoke to media outside the Brisbane Coroners Court.

"Total devastation today," Uncle Mervyn Riley said.

"It took the coroner only five minutes to hand out the findings... they could not give us a definite answer on 'she was murdered'.

"Is it justice, or just us?"

The coronial inquest into Constance Watcho's death delivered no definitive findings on Thursday. (Image: Debbie Kilroy/X)

Coroner Gallagher's findings were based on Ms Watcho's remains being partially disarticulated, the manner of their disposal and the time between her last sighting and the discovery of her remains.

She also considered the possibility that Ms Watcho died from an unknown cause.

Three people of interest were identified through the police investigation and inquest.

"However, given the lack of compelling evidence and the weight of the evidence available to me, I am unable to identify any person involved in the death of Constance May Watcho," Coroner Gallagher said.

"Based on the state of decomposition when her remains were found, what caused Constance's death may never be known.

"Caution must be exercised in drawing inferences from the circumstances and largely unreliable evidence available."

Family member Tarita Fisher expressed the urgent need for answers and that the five minutes it took to deliver the findings was "not enough".

"There's ten children, four brothers and the extended family that are wanting answers," Ms Fisher said.

"This can't continue - Aboriginal women disappearing and being murdered and not having justice in this country.

"We need justice for Constance May Watcho."

Tarita Fisher addressed media on Thursday regarding the outcome of the coronial inquest into Constance Watcho's death. (Image: Joseph Guenzler)

Sisters Inside Chief Executive Officer, Debbie Kilroy showed support for the family, calling for the Queensland Police Commissioner to discuss the inquest's lack of findings.

"The family demands a meeting with the police commissioner immediately," Ms Kilroy said.

"We want to know what the police commissioner is going to do.

"Constance Watcho was a beautiful and strong Aboriginal woman and she deserve justice, her children deserve justice and her family and community deserve justice."

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