Perth investor seeks state compensation over murder scene forensic damage

A Perth actor and property investor is pursuing a lengthy legal battle with the Western Australian government for compensation after his East Perth apartment was subjected to extensive forensic examination following a brutal 2012 murder.

Troy Coward's investment property became a crime scene in December 2012 when tenant Aaron Carlino fatally shot drug dealer Stephen Cookson twice in the head, then dismembered the body using an angle grinder. The crime remained undiscovered for weeks until Mr Cookson's severed head washed ashore on Rottnest Island in January 2013.

Extensive damage from forensic investigation

Mr Coward claims the subsequent police forensic examination of his apartment caused serious structural damage and left chemical residue that has affected his health. The property owner says he has been fighting for compensation from the state government for more than 13 years without resolution.

The case highlights a significant gap in compensation frameworks for property owners whose premises become crime scenes. Unlike victims of crime, who may access victim support schemes, property owners damaged during criminal investigations have limited avenues for redress.

Mr Coward said the forensic examination left serious damage, and the chemicals used affected his health. He is demanding compensation from the state government, a battle he has been fighting for more than 13 years.

The human cost of criminal investigations

Mr Coward, who has appeared in numerous films throughout his acting career, has described his real-life situation as beyond what even Hollywood scriptwriters could conceive. When he regained access to his property in late 2012, he was unaware it had been the scene of a violent crime, having been cleaned by Carlino before police discovery.

The extended forensic investigation that followed left the apartment unsuitable for occupancy, with structural damage and chemical contamination requiring remediation work. The financial and personal toll of the incident has extended well beyond the initial crime.

Broader implications for property owners

The case raises questions about state government liability when police investigations cause damage to private property. Western Australian law currently provides limited mechanisms for property owners to claim compensation for damage incurred during criminal investigations, even when such damage is extensive or negligent.

Property owners typically bear the full cost of repairs and remediation following forensic examinations, despite having no involvement in the crimes committed. This stands in contrast to public liability frameworks that apply to other government activities.

Lengthy legal campaign

Mr Coward's 13-year compensation fight underscores the challenges private citizens face in holding government agencies accountable for investigation-related damage. The case may have implications for how Western Australian authorities handle crime scene investigations and the financial responsibility borne by affected property owners.

Originally published by ABC News (102.5 ABC Perth)