Coronial Bombshell: Partner Found Guilty of Murdering Young Woman Leisl Smith, 23, Who Vanished from NSW Central Coast 13 Years Ago
- James Scott Church killed Leisl Smith in 2012, with her body likely dumped in the Goulburn River National Park or vicinity, an inquest finds
- Church died by suicide before the verdict was delivered, leaving Leisl’s family without justice
- Calls for law reform to allow verdicts to be delivered even if the suspect dies, as the current system can cause “pain and injustice” to families
A New South Wales coroner has delivered a devastating blow to the family of Leisl Smith, declaring that her partner James Scott Church was responsible for her murder 13 years ago. The 23-year-old vanished from the Central Coast on August 19, 2012, sparking a massive search operation.
In a heartfelt statement, Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame said Leisl’s death was a “homicide” and that Church had killed her. The coroner’s findings have brought some closure to Leisl’s family, but the lack of a formal verdict due to Church’s death by suicide has sparked calls for law reform.
Leisl’s mother, Sandi Harvey, welcomed the coroner’s findings, saying they had brought her some comfort. “That’s what I wanted to hear … as a mother, I know that she wasn’t here with us any longer, but I needed to hear it from a legal person,” she said.
Magistrate Grahame acknowledged the pain caused to relatives when a suspect dies before the verdict is delivered, recommending a review to consider whether verdicts should be released in such circumstances. “The pain caused to relatives has caused me to consider whether there should be reform to the criminal justice system in this area,” she said.
Church stood trial for Leisl’s murder in 2022 but died by suicide the day before the verdict was due to be delivered. The court’s finding was never released, leaving Leisl’s family without justice.
Sandi Harvey has campaigned for law reform, saying the current system is unjust. “Everybody had worked so hard and we were waiting and waiting to hear guilty or innocent and we got nothing,” she said. “It was just another slap in the face … no answer.”
The coroner’s findings have brought some closure to Leisl’s family, but the search for her body continues. Leisl’s father, Storm Smith, still holds onto the hope that his daughter is alive. “His belief that she may still be alive is a matter I have considered carefully,” Magistrate Grahame said. “Nevertheless, I am convinced Leisl is deceased.”
The case has raised questions about the criminal justice system and the need for reform to ensure that families receive justice even if the suspect dies before the verdict is delivered.