Inquest into the Suspected Death of Winifred Mary PEACE

Inquest into the Suspected Death of Winifred Mary PEACE

Delivered on : 27 May 2020

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Vicker

Recommendations : N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : On 22 October 1959 Mrs Peace had an extended disagreement with her husband relating to their financial difficulties which Mr Peace saw as the fault of his wife. They had lunch together with their two young children and Mr Peace then left the family home. When he returned home he claimed his two children were in bed, his wife was absent and he never saw her again.

Mrs Peace’s disappearance was reported on 26 October 1959 to the Victoria Park Police Station by her husband who stated his wife had left home on 22 October 1959 after a domestic argument. Mr Peace did not make any attempt to find his wife during this time and he was advised by police to make some enquiries with family and friends to establish whether if Mrs Peace had been seen by them. On 29 October 1959 Mr Peace advised police that after making those enquiries he had not found his wife. Mr Peace made it quite clear that he did not wish to have his wife to return to the family home and that if she did he would proceed to file for a divorce. He was open about his association with another woman.

While alleged sightings of Mrs Peace were reported to police over the following months there was never any evidence those sightings were definitely Mrs Peace.

The Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Mrs Peace is deceased and was deceased in relative proximity to the time of her disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how Mrs Peace died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of her death.

Catch Words : Long Term Missing Person : Open Finding

Last updated: 15-Jun-2020

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