Ombudsman's findings could reopen Hawke children inquest
Ombudsman releases new information on the 2022 Hawke murders, potentially enabling an inquest.
Western Australia's ombudsman released new findings about the 2022 deaths of three children. The three children were murdered by their mother, Margaret Hawke, in South Hedland.
The review was finished in November 2025. The review examined police body-camera video and more than 1,700 pages of government records.
Coroner Phil Urquhart had denied an inquest in 2025. Premier Roger Cook said if the information was fresh evidence, the attorney-general could order an inquest.
Attorney-General Tony Buti said he would order one if shown new evidence.
- South Hedland, Western Australia, 2022
- Location and year
- November 2025
- Review completion
Why it mattersInquests reveal how child protection and emergency response systems failed. The public learns about these systemic failures.
AustraliaA fresh inquest could reveal gaps in how WA and other state agencies respond to family violence reports and protect vulnerable children.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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