Police End Search for Missing infant after suspected murder-suicide in Port MacDonnell
South Australian police have halted the formal search for three-month-old Lewis, whose body is unlikely to be recovered after a suspected murder-suicide.
In the aftermath of a suspected murder-suicide at Port MacDonnell, South Australian police recovered the bodies of Helena Wright and her toddler daughter Hazel on July 27, while the three-month-old infant Lewis was not located. Superintendent Trent Cox confirmed that a team of seven water-operations officers conducted three dives last Thursday, but adverse weather forced them to stop and the search yielded no results. He warned that the likelihood of ever finding Lewis is now very low, though officers will still investigate any future reports of material washing up on the coast.
The community has been urged to cease spreading baseless rumors on social media, as such chatter adds further pain to the grieving relatives. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced a review of procedures following the incident, noting that any needed changes will be made even before a coronial inquest concludes. The review is described as a routine step after serious events, aimed at improving service delivery amid resource constraints.
Why it matters
The case highlights the challenges of missing-person searches and the impact of online speculation on grieving families.
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