Amber Haigh: Acquitted Couple Walk Free After Missing Teen Murder Trial
Couple Acquittal in Amber Haigh Case
A couple will walk free, innocent after being the prime murder suspects in the disappearance of a young intellectually disabled mother, Amber Haigh, who lived in NSW's South West Slopes region over two decades ago.
The pair, who cannot be legally named, resided on a rural NSW property neighboring where Amber lived with her extended family. In late 2000, Amber moved onto their property and formed a sexual relationship with the then 40-year-old man, becoming pregnant and having a child.
On June 2, 2002, the 19-year-old was last seen at her flat in a nearby town, leading to a police investigation into her disappearance. On Monday, Justice Julia Lonergan acquitted the couple of Amber's murder after a 28-day judge-alone trial in the Supreme Court.
Relevant Evidence and Testimonies
- Medical experts testified about Amber's mental capacity, likening it to that of a 12- or 13-year-old, indicating she could be easily swayed by others.
- The couple consistently denied involvement in Amber's disappearance.
- There were significant personal challenges faced by the couple, including the wife's past pregnancies involving three miscarriages and a stillbirth after their first child.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.