Man who killed daughter in murder-suicide manipulated ex-partner into dropping domestic violence charges, inquest finds

An inquest finds that a father who killed his young daughter in a murder-suicide at the Wall of Whispers cheated the prison where he was being held to call his ex-partner and manipulate her into dropping serious domestic violence allegations.

WARNING: This story contains details that readers may find disturbing.

Henry Shepherdson called the mother of his nine-month-old daughter Kobi Shepherdson from Mount Gambier Prison 149 times, in breach of a no-contact order, to coach her and pressure her to drop criminal charges including death threats and false imprisonment.

Deputy State Coroner Ian White is investigating the deaths of a couple at the Barossa Reservoir in April 2021.

During recorded prison conversations played to the coroner’s court on Thursday, Shepherdson became emotional as he blasted Kobi’s mother and told her he “missed her so much” and was “very sorry.”

“But you have to keep this between us, OK?” – he said.

“That man you fell in love with at first is back.

The court heard he called Kobi’s mother 14 times that day and on other occasions Kobi could be heard in the background.

In the conversations, he hears her saying that if the allegations continue, there will be no way to prove them and that his lawyer will put her in court as a liar.

“What evidence would the prosecution present other than your words?” he asked.

“There is no way I could be found guilty because there is no evidence to prove that I am. It’s just you saying something.”

He also told her that because she knew he had already served time for violent crimes, she considered him “more of a monster than me.”

He also blamed his threatening behavior on prescription drug abuse.

During one conversation, Kobi’s mother said she was afraid that she or Kobi might get hurt.

Shepherdson also told Kobi’s mother that she could not tell anyone that he had contacted her or that he had put pressure on her.

“If they ask you if you have been in contact with Henry, you have to say no,” he said.

He told Kobi’s mother that he didn’t want to lose the baby or disappoint her.

Telephone conversations with the friend and his sister were also played in court, during which Shepherdson complained about the prospect of a long stay in prison.

He also denied making threats against Kobi.

Detective Sergeant Brevet Paul Dawson, who prepared the SA Police report for the coroner, said the investigation into the circumstances of the death was “more complex” than a normal inquest.

He told the court he analyzed all of Shepherdson’s phone calls from prison and found he was “consistently trying to persuade her.”

Shepherdson was Kobi’s “narcissistic” and “manipulative” mother

When questioned, he agreed that Shepherdson was “narcissistic” and that Shepherdson “totally manipulated” Kobi’s mother.

He told the court that Kobi and her mother should be considered “high risk” in police records and referred to the multi-agency service.

However, he said the case had not been referred because officers dealing with Kobi’s mother classified her situation as “medium risk”.

The court had previously heard that on the day of the murder-suicide, Shepherdson successfully applied to have the no-contact clause removed before taking Kobi to the Wall of Whispers, where they died.

The court also heard that Shepherdson had previously persuaded another former partner to withdraw the charges against him.

The investigation continues.