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DARK SECRETS: Leisl smith - The Real Truth

Mum's tears after daughter's 13-year mystery resolved

The mother of a woman who vanished without a trace 13 years ago was overcome with emotion after being told her daughter was killed by her controlling partner.

AAP · Sep 28, 2025

'Wish I hugged her': torment of vanished woman's family

The sister of a woman whose alleged killer ended his life on the eve of a verdict being delivered hopes she did not suffer before her suspected death.

AAP · Jun 11, 2025

Answers sought for family after daughter vanished

An inquest will investigate the disappearance and suspected death of a woman after her accused killer ended his life on the eve of his verdict being delivered.

AAP · Jun 10, 2025

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Leisl Smith's mother pleads for law change allowing dead man's murder trial verdict to be released

The mother of Central Coast woman Leisl Smith who vanished in 2012 calls for laws to be amended to allow a verdict for the man who stood trial for her murder — but died — to be released.

ABC News · Apr 30, 2023

No verdict after unexpected death in Leisl Smith murder trial

The unexpected death of James Scott Church a day before verdict means a NSW judge cannot hand down her decision on the alleged murder of Leisl Smith in 2012.

Newcastle Herald · Jul 8, 2022

Murder theory 'absurd', lawyer says

A defence barrister says it's "absurd" to suggest his client would meet an intended murder victim in the middle of the day at a station with CCTV cameras.

AAP · May 20, 2022

NSW man denies murdering lover in 2012

A NSW man accused of murdering his lover who went missing in 2012 denies manipulating her phone to make out she was alive.

AAP · May 5, 2022

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Murder suspect's mum asked about alibi

'You stick to your story'

Newcastle Herald · Mar 31, 2022

NSW murder suspect's mum asked about alibi

The mother of a NSW man accused of murdering his former girlfriend, whose body has never been found, has been quizzed in court about giving an alibi statement.

AAP · Mar 31, 2022

Woman was petrified after threat: witness

A young woman looked like she had seen a ghost when she reported receiving a death threat, a murder trial has been told.

AAP · Mar 18, 2022

Alleged killer had feelings for two women

A NSW Central Coast man told police the woman he's accused of murdering exited his car after he broke off their relationship in 2012

AAP · Mar 3, 2022

Man saw 'spitting image' in chips aisle

A woman seen near the chips aisle of a supermarket was "the spitting image" of one featured on a missing person's poster, a murder trial has been told.

AAP · Feb 25, 2022

Missing woman's ex was violent, trial told

The sister of a missing and allegedly murdered woman says her violent ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her if she became pregnant to another man.

AAP · Feb 22, 2022

Alleged killer delayed admitting cheating

A woman has testified to breaking up with her NSW partner after he admitted sleeping with the woman he's now accused of murdering.

AAP · Feb 17, 2022

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AAP · Feb 10, 2022

Murder trial told of baby bump photo

Days before she disappeared, a woman said the father of her unborn baby had cheated on his girlfriend with her, Sydney murder trial told

ABC News · Feb 10, 2022

Is Leisl Smith still alive? Supreme Court hears 'alternative scenarios' to murder

A defence barrister says it's possible the woman his client is accused of murdering in the Upper Hunter was killed over a drug debt or may still be alive.

AAP · Feb 9, 2022

Vanished woman's other suspects 'left out'

James Scott Church who was charged with murdering Leisl Smith in 2012 became the "single-minded" focus of the police investigation, a judge has been told.

ABC News · Feb 8, 2022

Supreme Court told James Scott Church guilty of Leisl Smith's murder, despite no body being found

Leisl Smith, 23, disappeared without a trace a decade ago. Her remains have never been found, but the Crown says circumstantial evidence is enough to convict her accused killer.

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Newcastle Herald · Feb 8, 2022

Central Coast man accused of vanished woman's murder

A NSW Central Coast man has denied murdering his former girlfriend who disappeared in 2012 and whose body has never been found

AAP · Feb 8, 2022

Man accused of vanished woman's murder

A NSW Central Coast man has denied murdering his former girlfriend who disappeared in 2012 and whose body has never been found

Newcastle Herald · Jan 24, 2022

Leisl Smith disappearance: Judge has 'grave concerns' over murder investigation

A NSW Supreme Court judge says she has "grave concerns" about the investigation into the alleged murder of Leisl Smith, who disappeared without a trace after leaving her home at Wallarah, on the Central Coast, in August 2012.

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