Police watchdog finds investigation of woman's death was inadequate

The IPCA said officers first on the scene after the woman was found dead in May 2022 did a good job. However, detectives who arrived soon afterwards failed to take fingerprints or secure the scene, and did not adequately communicate with her family.

The authority found that investigators reached conclusions without robust evidence and did not objectively examine the scene. The woman was both the complainant and a central witness in a forthcoming sexual assault trial.

Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, said police met with the woman's family and apologised last month. He expressed sympathy to the woman and her family, acknowledged the recent years had been challenging for them, and said police were committed to conducting their investigations to a high standard.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case raises questions about how police handle the deaths of people connected to sexual assault proceedings.
A public apology follows an independent finding of investigative failures at a central Auckland scene.
The IPCA report adds to scrutiny of police conduct in sensitive cases.

Background

The IPCA is New Zealand's independent body for investigating complaints about police conduct. Its findings can lead to recommendations or further action against officers, though the authority does not have the power to prosecute. In this case, the authority examined a death originally treated as an accident, in circumstances where the deceased was a complainant in a sexual assault matter.

Key Perspectives

IPCA: The watchdog found detectives failed to secure the scene, take fingerprints, or communicate adequately with the family, and reached conclusions without robust evidence. Police: Superintendent Sunny Patel acknowledged the period had been challenging for the family, apologised on behalf of police, and said police were committed to high standards of investigation. The Molloy family: The family received an apology from police last month, after the IPCA found that investigators had failed to communicate adequately with them during the original inquiry.

What to Watch

Any further public statement from police on changes to how city detectives handle scenes involving complainants in sexual assault cases.
Whether the IPCA's findings prompt further review of how similar deaths and incidents are investigated.

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPolice watchdog found that the investigation of the woman's death was inadequate.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police officers investigating the death of a Mt Eden woman failed to objectively examine the scene and reached conclusions without robust evidence, an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has found.”
SupportedDetectives treated the woman's fall as an accident despite knowing she was the complainant and central witness in an upcoming sexual assault trial.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Despite knowing the 30-year-old was both the alleged victim and central witness in an upcoming sexual assault trial, the fall - and her death - were treated as an accident.”
SupportedAuckland Police apologised to the woman's family.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “police met with Molloy's family and apologised to them last month.”
SupportedIPCA said officers first on the scene after the woman was found dead in May 2022 did a good job.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “The IPCA found while officers first on the scene did a good job”
SupportedDetectives who arrived soon afterwards failed to take fingerprints or secure the scene.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “detectives who arrived soon after failed to take fingerprints or secure the scene.”
SupportedPolice did not adequately communicate with the woman's family.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “They also failed to communicate adequately with Molloy's family.”
SupportedThe authority found investigators reached conclusions without robust evidence and did not objectively examine the scene.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “failed to objectively examine the scene and reached conclusions without robust evidence”
SupportedThe woman was both the complainant and a central witness in a forthcoming sexual assault trial.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “the 30-year-old was both the alleged victim and central witness in an upcoming sexual assault trial.”
SupportedAuckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, said police met with the woman's family and apologised last month.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, said police met with Molloy's family and apologised to them last month.”
SupportedPatel expressed sympathy, acknowledged the recent years had been challenging, and said police were committed to a high standard of investigation.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “"At the outset, we extend our deepest sympathies to Ms Molloy and her family for their loss of Rachel," Patel said.”