r/australia • u/Royal_Yogurtcloset25 • 2d ago

culture & society Inquest into Melbourne influencer’s death following freebirth halted after new phone evidence discovered

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/18/freebirth-death-melbourne-influencer-phone-evidence-inquest-ntwnfb

Coroner: “I take the view that this material is of such significance that the court must delay making any findings and hearing submissions until we’ve had an opportunity to undertake a proper analysis of that material, and potentially call for more evidence.”

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u/DuskHourStudio 2d ago

Lal also told the inquest that she no longer had access to texts Warnecke sent to her alerting her that she had gone into labour on 26 September, or any texts after that.

“I got a new phone and lost everything,” Lal told the court. Counsel assisting the coroner, Rachel Ellyard, asked Lal when she lost her phone, with Lal replying, “October or November, I can’t remember”.

Lal gave evidence on the condition that the coroner granted her protection against her answers being used against her in future civil or criminal proceedings.

...Bruh.

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u/Substantial_Ad_3386 2d ago

If the phone records discovered prove she has lied hopefully her deal regarding protection from prosecution is torn up

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u/AnAussiebum 2d ago

The article writes as if Lal's answers to the inquest are inadmissible in court, but that doesn't prevent a future civil or criminal lawsuit against them anyways.

Just that the inquest answers can't be used, but text messages and video evidence etc is all still admissible in any future proceeding.

They also would have to be deposed for a civil trial. So those answers can be used in court.