Thompson sisters sue police over grief, lack of support
The sisters of slain detective Neal Thompson are pursuing legal action against Victoria Police, alleging negligence contributed to the devastating loss of their brother and another officer. The move follows a period of profound grief compounded by what they describe as a chilling sense of abandonment by the very institution meant to support them.
A seven-month search and mounting frustration
The lawsuit, spearheaded by lawyer Jeremy King, stems from the decision not to deploy specialist tactical units when executing a search warrant against Dezi Freeman last year. Freeman, a suspect in the deaths of Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, evaded capture for seven agonizing months before being fatally shot in a remote property near Thologolong. The sisters’ legal claim centers on this critical juncture, arguing that a more robust initial response could have prevented the prolonged ordeal and, potentially, the tragic outcome.
But what truly stings, according to Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk, isn't just the tactical oversight; it’s the agonizing lack of communication and emotional support they received from Victoria Police in the aftermath of their brother’s murder. Their December letter to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush paints a stark picture of isolation, detailing a lack of personal contact upon being informed of Neal's death — a phone call instead of in-person notification — and a subsequent void of updates regarding the investigation.
“We expected grief, we expected heartbreak, but we did not expect to feel invisible,” they wrote, a sentiment that resonated with many reading the Guardian Australia exclusive. The sisters recounted having to identify their brother’s body at the coroner’s court, a task made all the more harrowing by being unrecognized and having to announce their relationship themselves. Even at Thompson's funeral, they were seated apart from other family members, further emphasizing their feeling of alienation.
Victoria Police responded with a statement acknowledging the families’ difficulties and claiming ongoing communication and support services. However, the sisters' experience suggests a disconnect between the official narrative and the painful reality of their grief. The police have reportedly met with them directly following the letter to the Chief Commissioner, but the legal action signals a deeper dissatisfaction with the handling of the case and the degree of support provided.
The inquest, which will determine the precise circumstances surrounding the officers’ deaths and the subsequent investigation, has yet to be scheduled. The sisters’ lawsuit promises to further scrutinize the decisions made by Victoria Police and to hold the force accountable for what they believe was a profound failure to support a grieving family during an unimaginable tragedy. The psychological toll on the Thompson family, compounded by the bureaucratic indifference, underscores a disturbing question: can institutions truly understand the human cost of their actions?