A dead singer’s family is demanding answers after a coroner ruled her boyfriend ’caused or contributed to’ her death but police never charged him.
Joanne Howell, 51, was found beaten and strangled to death in her Melbourne home, hours after breaking up with her boyfriend, karaoke singer Paul Charlton, in 2007.
Charlton said he was on a two-hour dog walk at the time and refused to give evidence at her inquest six years ago on the advice of his lawyer.
Joanne Howell (pictured) was found beaten and strangled to death in her Melbourne home, hours after breaking up with her boyfriend, karaoke singer Paul Charlton, in 2007
Charlton (pictured on the show) said he was walking the dog at the time and refused to give evidence at her inquest six years ago on the advice of his lawyer
The coroner said it was ‘highly improbable that on the day when a difficult relationship broke down an unknown assailant forced his/her way into the unit, inflicted fatal injuries on Ms Howell and left without leaving any sign of a struggle or taking anything.
She also found it improbable that the assailant ‘did so opportunistically, while Charlton was out walking the dog.’
The case was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions but not enough evidence was found to charge anyone and the mystery remains unsolved.
Now, ten years on from the murder, Ms Howell’s family are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Her tearful sister Lisa Hennessy told A Current Affair: ‘People need to hear Joanne’s story, because she’s not here and she’s the one who’s not being heard.’
Her tearful sister Lisa Hennessy told A Current Affair : ‘People need to hear Joanne’s story, because she’s not here and she’s the one who’s not being heard’
‘Someone has taken someone else’s life and it’s been 10 years and no-one has come forward,’ she added.
When Charlton was approached by the show, he appeared irate, denied any involvement and insisted that he too wanted to find the killer.
He said firmly: ‘You think ten years has gone past and I haven’t though about her? I think about her every day, I write her a birthday card every year.’
This is the house in Hughesfield, Melbourne where Joanne Howell was found dead
Charlton, who pleaded guilty to sex offences against a minor last year, insisted that Ms Howell was not scared of him, but loved him.
‘She may have been a pain in the a*se but she was my pain in the a*se and I loved her,’ he said.
He said he wasn’t clever enough to get away with murder. A prosecution expert said new evidence would have to come to light for charges to be considered.
Ms Howell, who sang on television, worked with Countdown star John St Peters around the world.
Victoria Police urged anyone with information to call crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.