The mother of a young apprentice found dead by the side of a road in Broome more than a decade ago says she has been unable to grieve for her beloved son because systemic failures mean she still has no answers about what happened to him.
As the inquest into Josh Warneke's death in Broome in February 2010 wraps up in Perth, his mother Ingrid Bishop delivered a moving statement inside the court on Friday afternoon about how she and her family have endured the past 14 years.
Even more difficult than absorbing the loss of her child is what Ms Bishop described as "the demand placed upon us to live with the systemic failure of his murder investigation and the human impact upon us which is indescribable."
“For context, we have endured a murder charge, a manslaughter charge, a conviction quashed, a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation, internal reviews, a disbanded Major Crime Squad Unit, disciplinary action for eleven WA Police officers, legislative change and nearly a dozen family liaison officers,” she said.
There have been multiple investigative probes into Josh's death. (ABC Kimberley: Erin Parke)
"Perversely, when I think of Josh, I go to the abysmal processes I have experienced.
"I do not think of my boy. I think of the numerous system failures that have not just let down Josh and his family, but many others along the way including our communities which now harbour a tragic and violent secret."
Josh's lifeless body was discovered by a taxi driver in the early hours of February 26, 2010 lying near Old Broome Road.
Ingrid Bishop speaks outside of court following the conclusion of the inquest into her son's Josh Warneke's death. (ABC News: David Weber)
He'd suffered a significant head injury, but how that happened has never been established.
Indigenous man Gene Gibson was wrongfully convicted of his manslaughter and jailed, but his conviction was overturned on appeal and the police's initial investigations were slammed by a Corruption and Crime Commission report.
'One of a kind'
Paying tribute to Josh, Ms Bishop said her "one of a kind" son was "an incredible young man who bought energy, kindness, humour, generosity and love into our lives and to those that knew him. "
"I still hear his voice, still see his smile and I still expect him to walk through the door," she said.
Ms Bishop's ceaseless campaigning led to the CCC investigation and helped get Mr Gibson's conviction overturned.
Today she made it clear that her fight for justice was ongoing.
Ms Bishop said the fight for justice for Josh was ongoing. (credit: abc.net.au/news)
She said reforms to procedures, cultures and systems were still badly needed, including to family liaison and support.
She also expressed hope that the mystery of what happened to her son would finally be solved.
"It is clear that there are still many investigative doors open and processes available to find the truth of what happened to Josh," she said.
"I can barely cope with the thought of what comes next, but I will lean into it and continue to hold my breath as I search for the truth."
Inquest wraps
Over the course of the inquest, which began in Broome last week before moving to Perth, the court heard different opinions from experts as to what had caused Mr Warneke's death.
Dr Clive Cooke and Dr Michael Burke, both forensic pathologists, said this week they believed his injury was likely to have been caused by a motor vehicle.
Dr Cooke also suggested "acute alcohol intoxication" was also a factor.
But neurosurgery expert Bryant Stokes was sure it was an assault and not a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Stokes said Mr Warneke had suffered one or two blows to the head, caused by a sharp instrument.
"Machete, axe, star picket," he said. "Or something of that nature".
The coroner will hand down her findings at a later date.
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