'Did We Get It Right?': State Police Chief Demands Deep Reflection After South East Tragedy

South Australia’s police chief has urged the force to candidly review the circumstances surrounding a devastating murder-suicide in the state’s south-east, questioning if officers could have handled the situation differently.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens cautioned against making assumptions about the case, but acknowledged there are questions that must be answered. It was recently revealed that Helena Wright had visited a local police station just a day before her death.

The bodies of Ms. Wright and her 23-month-old daughter were recovered from waters off Port MacDonnell on July 27. Her three-month-old son is also presumed dead, although his body has not been found.

Reviewing the Tragedy

While details of Ms. Wright's visit to the Mount Gambier Police Station remain confidential, Commissioner Stevens confirmed that she had contact with staff. He stated that he could not "disclose the content of that interaction", but confirmed she "was spoken to by a police officer".

A comprehensive report is currently being prepared for the coroner to examine the tragedy in its entirety.

"I'm not presuming we could have done things better," Commissioner Stevens said. "But what I am enquiring into is 'did we get it right?' And if there were opportunities for change, then we would instigate those changes."

He emphasized that the scope of the inquiry would be broad, looking at all prior interactions with Ms. Wright. "It's not just about the incident itself where Helena is presumed to have taken her own life," he said. "It will be about all of the events that led up to that particular point in time, so that will include interactions with police going back as long as necessary."

Commissioner Stevens noted that any necessary changes to police procedures would be made immediately, rather than waiting for the formal inquest to conclude. "We take away findings from that, from our own point of view, to make sure there are changes in service delivery, regardless of the circumstances or which event you're talking about," he said. "We do our own reflection, and we make changes prior to any coronial inquest."

Home Detention Controversy Addressed

The Commissioner also addressed the controversial release of Raina Cruise, 43, who was jailed after assaulting a pregnant police officer, Constable Anthea Beck, in October 2021. Despite being ineligible for parole until June 2027, Cruise was released on home detention from the Adelaide Women's Prison, sparking significant concern within the force.

Following widespread backlash, the Department for Correctional Services revoked the home detention and returned Cruise to custody. Commissioner Stevens expressed relief at the reversal but argued the situation should have been avoided entirely.

"I was deeply concerned that a person who had been convicted of the type of offence alleged against Raina Cruise and given a custodial sentence was provided an opportunity to serve a significant part of that sentence on home detention," he said. "To see her being released early would have been received with a great deal of disappointment right across South Australia Police, so to see it corrected is a good thing."

He added: "I've had conversations with the CEO of Corrections and I believe they have mechanisms in place now that will prevent that from happening again."

Ongoing Search for Missing Child

Turning to the search for four-year-old Gus Lamont, who disappeared from a property near Yunta on September 27 last year, Commissioner Stevens said there was "not a lot to update" but confirmed detectives are looking into "further search opportunities".

When asked about a June television interview in which the boy's grandmother, Josie Murray, denied allegations that police suspect her of burying the child, the Commissioner remained neutral. "She is entitled to make any statement that she wants publicly. She chose to do that," he said. "That doesn't alter the course of our investigation."

Speculation Surrounding Governor Role

Finally, with state Governor Frances Adamson set to step down in October, Commissioner Stevens responded to rumors that he might be considered for the role. He said he would treat any such suggestions "as a rumour" only.

"That's a matter for government as to the process they will undertake to select the next governor," he said. "No-one in any position of authority has had a conversation with me about that."

"In my view it's a rumour and I've still got about two years to go on my contract, so I'll focus on that."

However, he added that it is wise to "never say never to anything".

"I've never been a big one for career planning," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed all the postings I've had throughout my career as a police officer, never thought too much about what's next." He concluded, "That's where my mind is at, at this point in time."