The findings of a police watchdog report into the investigation of Rachel Molloy's death in 2022 have been released, concluding that the crime scene examination and communication with the 30-year-old's family were "inadequate".
Rachel was found seriously injured at the bottom of a staircase outside her two-bedroom flat in Auckland's Mt Eden on May 4, 2022 and later died in hospital.
The police investigation concluded that she had fallen on the stairs while intoxicated, and considered there to be no suspicious circumstances.
Her mother, Mandy Molloy, questioned this, believing there were individuals who would benefit from her daughter's death, as Rachel was the victim in a pending criminal trial.
In June 2020, Rachel had a large amount of property stolen when five people came into her inner-city property.
Four women and a man were charged in connection with the burglary. Three women pleaded guilty, with a fourth woman and the man pleading not guilty. The woman's charges were ultimately withdrawn, and the man was eventually jailed after he pleaded guilty to the burglary and other unrelated crimes.
Mandy raised multiple concerns with police, but felt frustrated with their response. She made a complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority about the investigation into her daughter's death, and how police had treated Rachel in a complaint from 2020. Police also reviewed both cases.
The IPCA said it was "satisfied that Police robustly reviewed their 2020 and 2022 actions" but said there was still "a lesson here regarding the victims of crime".
"Due to Ms Molloy’s victimisation in 2020, which severely impacted her life and wellbeing, police failed to understand that her family might be similarly affected, no doubt compounded by the grief in dealing with her death."
It accepted police's findings that officers initially at the scene acted appropriately, but the subsequent scene examination was "inadequate" and conclusions were reached without fully considering the evidence.
Communication was also described as inadequate, with police failing to appreciate and address her mother's concerns.
"We were also satisfied that Police eventually completed sufficient enquiries that justified a finding, on the information available, as to how Ms Molloy died," the IPCA said.
Regarding the 2020 complaint, the IPCA accepted that "overall, police responded appropriately with charges brought against all offenders".
It found failure occurred when an initial administrative error and poor communication led to Rachel being incorrectly told her report had been filed.
It also said victim impact statements should have been prepared and presented at the sentencing of those convicted.
In September of this year, police apoligised to Mandy and began a process to learn lessons.
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said police accepted the IPCA's findings.
“At the outset, we extend our deepest sympathies to Ms Molloy and her family for their loss of Rachel,” Patel said.
“We acknowledge that it has been an incredibly challenging period for the Molloy family over recent years.
“A senior leader from our Criminal Investigation Branch met in-person with Ms Molloy last month and apologised for our shortcomings in this case.”
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