**Coroner Rules Leisl Smith Murdered by James Church** More than 13 years after Leisl Smith, a 23-year-old woman, vanished, a coroner has determined she was murdered by her former partner, James Church. Smith was last seen on surveillance footage entering a white utility vehicle at Tuggerah railway station on the New South Wales Central Coast in August 2012. The vehicle belonged to Church, who was charged with her murder. However, the trial verdict was sealed after Church died by suicide just before the verdict was to be announced in July 2022.

On Monday, Coroner Harriet Grahame delivered the inquest findings, confirming that Smith was killed by Church before midnight on August 19, 2012, at a remote location in the Upper Hunter region of NSW. Despite extensive searches over the years, Smith's body has never been found. Evidence presented during the inquest indicated that Church was distressed over losing control of Smith, who had the potential to impact his reputation and relationships. Smith had previously reported that Church, then 42, had been physically aggressive and had threatened her life.

The inquest revealed that Church had a significant history of violence against intimate partners, including a prior incident of grievous bodily harm. Grahame concluded that Church killed Smith after picking her up from the train station and subsequently fabricated numerous lies to hide his actions.

"Leisl is obviously deeply loved and missed by all," Grahame stated, offering her condolences to Smith's family. She described Smith as a "fiercely free-spirited daughter and sister" who was adventurous and sought joy in life.

The coroner recognized the strength of Smith's family, who have endured the painful uncertainty of her fate. Grahame also recommended that legal changes be considered to allow trial verdicts to be released when they are finalized before the accused's death. Justice Elizabeth Fullerton had reached a verdict in Church's trial but had not yet announced it when he died, resulting in the sealing of the verdict and termination of legal proceedings.

Smith's family has called for exceptions to the laws regarding sealed verdicts to prevent other families from experiencing similar distress. Grahame noted that the sealing of Church's trial outcome caused significant emotional pain for Smith's family and the police involved in the investigation.

As the findings were presented, Smith's family expressed their grief. Her mother, Sandi Harvey, shared her anguish, stating, "It's the worst feeling in the world. I lost my dad many years ago. I know where he is, I can go to him. I can't do that with Leisl."

The coroner has urged NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley to refer the matter to the Law Reform Commission for further consideration. Crisis support services are available for those in need.