SIX years ago this week, 20-year-old woman Elly Warren was found dead in Mozambique. Her family is still looking for answers.
Warren, who was born in Mordialloc, travelled to Mozambique for a six-week trip in 2016. When she got back home she planned to study marine biology. Just days before her return, her body was found near a bathroom in Tofo.
The circumstances of Elly Warren’s death remain unclear. Her father, Paul Warren, has spent the last six years pursuing the truth about his daughter’s death. He believes his daughter was assaulted and murdered.
Despite findings that Elly Warren died from asphyxiation, Mozambique police have not laid charges over her death. An inquest into Warren’s death ordered by Australian authorities in 2020 has still yet to produce an outcome.
Fed up with years of delays, Paul Warren has asked Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to step in to investigate. He has organised a protest to demand further investigation into his daughter’s death.
“Some of you know the struggle that Elly’s family has had over the last six years. The family has its back against the wall therefore we need to take action by informing the media and public of our struggle. We are asking all our friends to support the family in this protest to help in achieving justice for Elly,” Paul Warren said. “I have lost confidence in the Coroner’s Court. Delaying the inquest for such a long period of time is not acting in the best interest of Elly’s family. It has now been six years since my daughter’s murder.
“I have sent correspondence to the Attorney-General Mr Dreyfus in June of this year with the facts asking for an inquiry into Elly’s death. It is in the best interest of all Australians to have the truth revealed.”
Protestors are expected to meet on the steps of Victorian Parliament House at 10am on 9 November. At 3pm that day they will meet again at Mark Dreyfus’ office in Mordialloc.
Dreyfus says that he has contacted the AFP asking for information on the current situation. “I continue to seek updates from the Australian Federal Police, who are engaging with their Mozambique police counterparts,” he said. “The AFP also continue to assist the Victorian State Coroner with the ongoing inquest.
“I acknowledge the pain and distress of Elly Warren’s family as they continue to seek answers on her death.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 9 November 2022
