Shirley Brifman: Coroner to investigate whether inquest should be done into 1972 death of Brisbane brothel madam
Updated
The coroner will investigate whether an inquest should be held into the death of brothel madam Shirley Brifman in Brisbane 45 years ago, Queensland's Attorney-General says.
The 35-year-old's body was found by her daughter at a police safe house at Clayfield on Brisbane's northside in 1972.
She was due to appear as a chief witness in a perjury case against senior Queensland detective Tony Murphy.
Authorities at the time ruled Ms Brifman died of a drug overdose and no inquest was ever held into her death.
Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the public interest in the case in recent years warranted the coroner making further inquiries in the interest of justice.
"I received a request from her family in 2015 and I've had my department looking closely at this and I do believe there could be information out there that people have," she said.
"I'm hoping they'll [the family] see this as good news.
"Those circumstances [of Ms Brifman's death] alone would give you thought, as to any death of a potential chief witness, to look at the circumstances around that death.
"The fact that there was never an inquiry held at the time — I think it certainly warrants investigation by the coroner and I think it's overdue."
Ms D'Ath said people wanted answers.
"Certainly with technology and science these days you know sometimes we find out a lot more about cold cases than we might have back then," she said.
"We don't know what information and evidence is still around and available and that's for the coroner to make inquiries about."
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said it was impossible to know if detectives from 45 years ago had any questions to answer about the case.
Mr Stewart said policing today was vastly different.
"Forty-five years ago in terms of the journey of policing and the journey of this state - chalk and cheese," he said.
"So are there questions? I don't know, it'll depend on the coroner. If the coroner calls on us we'll cooperate fully."
Topics: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, crime, brisbane-4000, qld, australia
First posted
