Constance Watcho's family left without answers as inquest hears from key witnesses

The final day of the inquest into Constance May Watcho's disappearance and death heard from two men she had been living with before she died.

The children and brother of Constance May Watcho

The three oldest children and two brothers of Constance May Watcho out the front of Brisbane Magistrates Court following the week-long inquest Source: NITV News: Tanisha Stanton

WARNING: This story contains distressing content

A Brisbane court has heard that the duffle bag which contained an Aboriginal woman’s remains belongs to a man she was living with before her disappearance.

Wakka Wakka woman Constance May Watcho was reported missing by family members in February 2018, three months after she vanished. 

The 36-year-old’s remains were found in the bag at the base of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in September.

She was found just a few hundred metres from an apartment block, known as River Terrace, where Ms Watcho had been staying with her then partner, Sam Sobczak, as well as Paul Maclay and Dallas Bandman.
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Constance May Watcho was a much loved mother of 10, whose family are fighting for answers on her disappearance and death.
While giving evidence on Friday, Mr Bandman was shown a photo of the bag that Ms Watcho’s remains were found in, and he admitted he had given it to her the last time he had seen her alive.

He told the court he had given the bag, which contained a blanket and sheet, to Ms Watcho after telling her and Mr Sobczak to “piss off” from the units, after an argument broke out between the couple in the yard of the property. 

The blanket and sheets were also found at the crime scene.
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Dallas Bandman was given a police escort out of Brisbane Magistrates Court after giving evidence on the final day of the inquest. NITV News: Tanisha Stanton
Also found among the long grass at the base of the cliff was a cut-off piece of curtain with a skull and cross bones painted on it.

The same light-coloured curtains with a leafy print were found in the unit of Mr Bandman and Mr Maclay when the police raided the property. Mr Bandman told the court he "can't explain" why they were found with Ms Watcho.

He denied having anything to do with her death, saying he was "a friend."

Mr Sobczak also gave evidence on Friday but provided little detail to the court, responding to suggestions he was involved in her death with "I don't know what happened to her."

The coroner closed the court after a number of Mr Sobczak's answers with the rest of the evidence only heard by legal teams.

The inquest has been adjourned for two months with the coroner asking all parties to bring forward any other witnesses that can assist with the investigation.

"The evidence is very much full of conflicts and there is very little new or useful information in there to inform this court and the family of what actually happened to her," Coroner Stephanie Gallagher said.
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Sam Sobczak was the last person to be seen with Ms Watcho before her disappearance.
Family members of Ms Watcho spoke outside the court following the final witnesses' evidence. 

"No one is giving us answers and we're sick of it," Ms Watcho's Aunty Tarita Fisher said.

"Treating Blackfullas like we're nothing. We're something. 

"I'm wild I'm angry, crying for her children and her brothers, her family.

"We want answers, now. We can't live without knowing what happened to her ... you just need to tell us."

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3 min read
Published 10 September 2022 8:16am
Updated 14 September 2022 3:13pm
Source: NITV News


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