The mother of a 21-year-old Broome tradesman murdered on the side of a major road says the investigation into her son’s death was hampered by “fundamental systemic failures” within WA Police.
Josh Warneke was killed after a night out with friends, while walking along Old Broome Road in the early hours of March 25, 2010.
In findings publicly released yesterday, WA Coroner Ros Fogliani found Mr Warneke was beaten to death with a weapon by persons unknown.
His body was found at the side of the road the following morning.
Sixteen years after her son’s death, Mr Warneke’s mother, Ingrid Bishop said she was not surprised by the coroner’s findings.
“There is no other option than homicide,” she told Nadia Mitsouplous on 102.5 ABC Perth.
“I wouldn’t have expected anything but that to be the outcome.”
Systemic failures
A botched police investigation saw Gene Gibson charged with Mr Warneke’s murder, with the Kiwirrkurra man spending almost five years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2017.
He was later awarded $1.3 million in compensation, while police officers involved in his arrest were lambasted in a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry.
Ingrid Bishop speaks outside of court following the conclusion of the inquest into her son’s death. (ABC News: David Weber)
Years of public advocacy from Ms Bishop eventually resulted in a reopened police investigation, leading to the coronial inquest into Mr Warneke’s death.
“It took me years to actually get some attention in regard to having the coronial inquest, 16 years later after that we finally get it,” Ms Bishop said.
“I should not have been put in that position.”
Ms Bishop said the initial forensic examination of the crime scene was mismanaged.
“Due to the complete and utter bungle and mismanagement of the Major Crime Squad, the forensics that was identified and collected, stored, analysed and accessed going forward, it was completely bungled,” she said.
Josh Warneke’s body was found on the side of Old Broome Road in 2010. (Facebook)
“It’s just very disappointing that an institution that’s actual brief is to identify and protect the forensics was just so careless and reckless.“
She also pointed to workplace culture problems within WA Police at the time her son was killed as a factor in the mishandling of the initial investigation.
But she remains hopeful that Ms Fogliani’s referral of the inquest findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions will lead to progress towards finding the person responsible for her son’s death.
Government to review findings
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti expressed sympathy for Josh Warneke’s family over the “heartbreak” they have endured over the past 16 years.
She promised all the coroner’s recommendations would be reviewed.
Rita Saffioti says the government is reviewing the coroner’s findings. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
“We … will work through those coroner’s recommendations to make sure family can feel some closure,” Ms Saffioti told reporters in Perth today.
“I know it’s very difficult but we’ll continue to work with them until they can.”
Pressed on the coroner’s criticism of inadequate police resourcing allocated to the case, the deputy premier insisted a lot had changed since Mr Warneke’s death, even as recently as the last state budget.
“We’ve increased more community liaison officers,” she said.
“So we’re looking at what we can do in both forensics, in staffing forensic, and on the ground support for families.”
