Amanda CARTER

                                                                                                                      Amanda Carter

                                                                                                     

 

Murdered teacher was soccer ref: police

Andrew Drummond - SMH
May 17, 2010
AAP

High school maths teacher Amanda Carter was passionate about soccer but homicide detectives are now investigating if her weekend referee duties are linked to her murder.

The 46-year-old mother of three was found dead by her youngest daughter in a bedroom of her Ivory Crescent home at Woongarrah on the NSW central coast at about 10am (AEST) on Sunday.

She was home alone at the time of her murder and police have said nothing about what injuries the Wyong High School teacher suffered.

A neighbour reported hearing a loud thud come from Ms Carter's home on Saturday night.

"The situation at the crime scene led investigators to immediately suspect that this death wasn't normal and wasn't anything other than suspicious," Detective Inspector Julie Hurst told reporters on Monday.

Police are interviewing family, friends and work colleagues as part of their investigation.

They are particularly keen to hear from people who saw Ms Carter on Saturday when she refereed soccer matches at a park south of her home suburb.

"Detectives are also keen to speak to anyone who was at Pluim Park, Lisarow, on Saturday and may have seen Amanda, who was refereeing from 12.30pm," Insp Hurst said in a statement.

"We are also appealing for anyone who may have taken vision of any of the game after 12.30pm.

"We are also keen to hear of anyone who saw anything unusual, or had interactions with her."

That day, Ms Carter first refereed an under-16 boys representative match and then was assistant referee for an under-18s match, a spokesman for her soccer club, the Kanwal Warnervale Rovers Football Club, said.

Insp Hurst said Ms Carter's movements and interactions on Saturday would form part of the murder investigation.

"Any situation that ends like this we need to piece together not just what's happened in the last few days but in the weeks and months leading up to the death and, obviously, to try and find out what's happened and who's responsible," she said, adding that it is possible Ms Carter knew her killer.

The club spokesman, who was not at Pluim Park on Saturday, said he had not been alerted to any trouble involving Ms Carter's refereeing duties.

On Monday, the club posted a notice on it's website about Ms Carter's death, extending condolences to her family and friends.

Club president Ross Ankrett said Ms Carter had been a member for more than 20 years.

"She played and refereed, and years ago she used to coach," Mr Ankrett told AAP.

"This news is shocking for everyone. The first reaction we all had was one of just sheer disbelief."

Students at Wyong High on Monday were mourning Ms Carter.

"Counselling and support have been made available to students and staff, some of whom have taken it up," a Department of Education and Training spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

It is understood that until recently Ms Carter had been living with her partner but that the relationship had ended in recent months.

 

Teacher refereed soccer match before her death

Georgina Robinson - SMH
May 17, 2010

 

Central coast teacher and soccer enthusiast Mandy Carter spent the Saturday afternoon before her death as she did many others.

The 46-year-old mother of three refereed the under-16s soccer match between Ourimbah and Berowra at Lisarow's Pluim Park, before acting as lineswoman for the under-18s match.

After driving away from the oval that afternoon, Ms Carter was not seen or heard from again until 10am on Sunday.

The Wyong High School maths teacher's youngest daughter made the unthinkable discovery, finding her mother's body in the master bedroom of their house in Ivory Crescent, Woongarrah.

It is believed she was killed late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday.

Police are refusing to detail the nature of Ms Carter's injuries, except to say they have opened a murder investigation and need the public's help.

"We are treating it as a homicide, it was clearly suspicious," Tuggerah Lakes crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst, said.

Police have called for anyone who saw or spoke to Ms Carter at Pluim Park on Saturday to contact detectives.

"In particular, anyone who may have any information in relation to her movements from that football ground or any knowledge of her whereabouts prior to Sunday morning," Detective Inspector Hurst said.

In addition, homicide detectives want to see any video footage shot at the park during the afternoon, she said.

There is no suggestion any on- or off-field incident might have led to her death, but investigators are desperate for information about her movements after the games.

"If something did happen there that's why we want people to come forward and let us know but certainly we're not aware of anything other than she was seen there that afternoon," Detective Inspector Hurst said.

"It's just that [the park is] her last known whereabouts.

"If anyone's taken any footage around the Pluim Park area that afternoon we'd appreciate them to contact us."

As the Wyong High School community reeled in the wake of the death of their much-loved teacher and year 9 adviser, crime scene police continued to work at her four-bedroom house.

Detective Inspector Hurst would not say whether there was evidence of forced entry to the house, or whether there was any indication Ms Carter was sexually assaulted.

Her car was at the house and no property or personal belongings had been stolen, she said.

None of Ms Carter's three children had any contact with their mother that night, Detective Inspector Hurst said.

"Everything seemed normal right up until she was [found]," she said.

Next door neighbour Wendy Beament said she had told police she heard a loud thud coming from Ms Carter's house just before midnight, but did not notice anything else unusual.

The father of Ms Carter's children went to her house yesterday and is comforting his son and two daughters.

Ms Carter was single, Detective Inspector Hurst said.

She had a live-in partner but the pair were believed to have split up between four and six weeks ago, Ms Beament said.

Detective Inspector Hurst said investigators were in contact with "everyone that's had recent contact with [Ms Carter]" but police had not yet identified any persons of interest in the case.

Police appealed to anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


 

 

Teacher found dead: neighbour tells of hearing thud

Georgina Robinson - SMH
May 17, 2010
 

A neighbour heard a loud thud coming from the house of central coast teacher Amanda Carter the night before she was found dead.

Wendy Beament says she was in the bathroom of her home at Ivory Crescent, Woongarrah, just before midnight on Saturday when she heard the noise from next door.

"It was as if you knock something down from up pretty high and it hits the ground," Ms Beament said.

The youngest daughter of Ms Carter, known to her friends and family as "Mandy", found her mother's body about 10am the next day, neighbours said.

Police say they are treating the death of Ms Carter, 46, a Wyong High School maths teacher, as suspicious.

The eastern wall of her house, which she bought almost two years ago, is about two metres away from the western wall of Ms Beament's home.

Ms Beament said she heard no arguments nor raised voices on Saturday night and did not think much of the thud when she heard it.

"My kids went to bed about 10.30pm and I sat up watching TV ... I heard a thud maybe about 11.30pm [or] 11.45pm and I didn't take much notice of it," she said.

"I usually leave my bathroom window open and I heard a bit of a thud."

Ms Carter has three children, including a teenage daughter and an adult daughter and son, Ms Beament said.

Ms Carter also had a live-in partner but she said the couple had split up about four to six weeks ago.

The family were quiet and kind, she said.

"It was just a very nice, quiet family," Ms Beament said.

"Every now and then they had a few people over for a party but it never got out of hand or anything."

Tributes poured in from all over the Wyong and greater central coast community.

A memorial page to Ms Carter has been created on a social networking site, and it already has more than 550 members.

"Such a sad and tragic loss to the Carter family of a beautiful mother, friend and teacher," one person wrote on the page.

A football enthusiast, she also coached students at school, played for central coast team the Kanwal Warnervale Rovers, and refereed.

The website of her team was updated last night to inform people of her death.

"It is with great sadness to let everyone within the Club know about the passing of Mandy Carter," the message read.

"Mandy was a long term player at our Club, and a Central Coast Referee.

"On behalf of the entire Club I extend our sincere condolences to her immediate family and friends at this very sad time of news that has shocked us all."

One student described Ms Carter as a "lovely" woman.

"She will be missed," the 16-year-old said. Students posted tributes on social networking sites. "Rest in peace," one post said.

Ms Carter's students are understood to have been offered counselling by the school.

"Counselling will remain available as long as necessary," a Department of Education spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

"The school is co-operating fully with police but, given that the matter is subject to police investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further."

The spokesman said the school community extended its "deepest sympathy to family and friends".

Police will address the media about Ms Carter's death today.

Woongarrah is a relatively new housing estate near Warnervale.

Residents expressed shock, saying the worst crime in the area was usually vandalism.

"It's a quiet, family-oriented area," a resident, Graham Maclachlan, said. "Everyone keeps to themselves."

Mr Maclachlan said he had stayed up late, but had heard nothing unusual.

"I didn't hear boo," he said. "The first I knew about it was when the ambulance and police turned up."

Police appealed to anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police seize letter: New twist in murder inquiry

BY ALISON BRANLEY AND DAN PROUDMAN - Newcastle Herald
18 May, 2010 09:54 AM

 

POLICE investigating the brutal murder of Wyong High teacher Amanda Carter have seized a letter that made malicious and unfounded claims the mother-of-three was having an affair with a student.

The letter, sent to The Herald earlier this month, was taken away for analysis yesterday following news of the murder.

Investigators have also revealed there was evidence inside Ms Carter's Woongarrah home suggesting she may have known her killer.

Police are attempting to piece together the 46-year-old's movements between Saturday afternoon, when she was referreeing soccer at Lisarow's Pluim Park, and when her body was discovered by her youngest daughter on Sunday morning.

They have made a public appeal for any video or still footage from games at Pluim Park on Saturday and want to speak with any of Ms Carter's friends, work colleagues or anyone who may have knowledge of her movements over the past days.

Tuggerah Lakes Crime Manager Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst said they were also keen to hear from anyone who saw anything unusual, or interacted with her before her death.

Inspector Hurst would not comment on the cause of death, except to say that the death was clearly suspicious.

She said Ms Carter's children, aged between 18 and 24, were not home on Saturday night and did not arrive home until Sunday.

"It's unclear at this stage when she died," she said.

Neighbours have reported hearing a loud thud come from Ms Carter's house just before midnight, but did not notice anything else unusual.

The Herald received the letter, dated April 30, earlier this month and made inquiries to the NSW Education Department and office of Education Minister Verity Frith.

It is understood the department had received a similar letter, investigated its contents and determined the allegations were unfounded.

Social networking websites carried tributes yesterday for the highly regarded maths teacher, year adviser and soccer coach.

One student described Ms Carter as a "beautiful lady who always made me smile".

Ms Carter was a player and referee with Kanwal Rovers Football Club for more than 20 years.

Club president Ross Ankrett said his long-time friend was a happy person and devoted mother who took up coaching when her son played the sport.

"She loved the game and she loved to play," he said.

"It's just a shock to everyone."

The NSW Education Department issued a statement yesterday on behalf of Ms Carter's employer Wyong High.

It is understood a number of staff and students were absent yesterday as they tried to cope with the loss.

A department spokesman said the school "extended its deepest sympathy to family and friends".

"Counselling and support have been made available to students and staff, some of whom have taken it up," he said.

The father of Ms Carter's children went to her house yesterday and was comforting his son and two daughters.

Ms Carter was single, Inspector Hurst said. Neighbour Wendy Beament said she had a live-in partner but that the pair were believed to have split up between four and six weeks ago.

Police appealed to anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. with SMH

Neighbour questioned over slain high school teacher Amanda Carter

  • From: AAP
  • May 19, 2010 7:38PM
POLICE have questioned a neighbour of slain high school teacher Amanda Carter about the murder.

The 46-year-old Wyong High School maths teacher was found dead in her NSW Central Coast home on Sunday morning by her youngest daughter.

Detectives investigating the killing have seized a letter reportedly alleging Ms Carter was having an affair with a student.

Today, investigators said they have spoken to a number of people, but declined to confirm one of them was the author of the letter, copies of which were sent to The Newcastle Herald newspaper and the NSW Department of Education.

A number of people linked to Ms Carter have been interviewed, Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst said.

Police also would not confirm if one of those people interviewed was Ms Carter's former partner, named by The Daily Telegraph newspaper as Richard Da Silva, 46, who broke up with the victim in recent weeks.

Mr Da Silva, a real estate agent, has not turned up for work since the weekend of Ms Carter's murder, the newspaper reported.

"We have interviewed a number of family and friends to establish Amanda's movements between Saturday evening and Sunday morning," Insp Hurst said in a statement.

"We have also spoken to a 60-year-old former Woongarrah man and he continues to help police with this investigation.

"Detectives are concentrating on locating anyone who has not yet spoken to (detectives) and can provide information about Amanda's last movements.

"I urge anyone with information no matter how small or inconsequential it may appear to come forward immediately."

Ms Carter, a mother of three, spent Saturday refereeing under-age soccer matches at Pluim Park, Lisarow, south of her home suburb.

Neighbours at her Ivory Crescent home at Woongarrah have reported hearing a loud thud on Saturday night coming from Ms Carter's home.

Police are yet to reveal how Ms Carter was killed.

Anyone with information on her murder should contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.

 

Police say teacher Amanda Carter knew her murderer

 
POLICE have confirmed they are investigating a letter claiming murdered teacher Amanda Carter was having an affair with a student as mystery surrounding her brutal death continues to build.

The body of the Wyong High School maths teacher, 46, was discovered by her daughter in the bedroom of their family home at Woongarah on the state's Central Coast on Sunday morning.

The letter making the unfounded claim was sent to a local newspaper earlier this month. It has since been taken away for analysis.

Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst said investigators would also be interviewing all Mrs Carter's friends, colleagues and anyone who knew her movements in the days leading to her death.

It is understood Mrs Carter had been separated from her former husband for several years but was recently involved in a relationship which, according to neighbours, ended about four to six weeks ago.

Police said they had spoken to Mrs Carter's immediate family, which includes three adult children aged between 18 and 24. They would not say if they had interviewed her ex-boyfriend or any of his close associates.

Officers ruled out a bungled robbery or home invasion as nothing appeared to have been taken from her Ivory Crescent home.

"We are certainly looking to that avenue, that she may have known her attacker," Det Insp Hurst said.

Mrs Carter played and refereed soccer for the Kanwal-Warnervale Rovers and Insp Hurst said police were trying to piece together her last movements, including refereeing a representative soccer match at Pluim Park, Lisarow, on Saturday afternoon - the evening before her body was found.

They are also investigating possible links between her murder and refereeing duties.

A post mortem will be carried out today.

Meanwhile, parents, teachers and football officials yesterday paid tribute to the mum who mentored hundreds of local children and dozens of young people training to become referees.

Central Coast Football Referees chairman Wayne Connor said Mrs Carter had been a "very competent" referee since 1997.

"She loved what she did - playing, coaching and refereeing - it's absolutely terrible what has happened," he said.

Students at Wyong High School yesterday mourned the loss of their highly-regarded maths teacher.

"We didn't know. At first we thought it was a big prank, but it ended up being real," Year 11 student Laura Hillier said.

Many students found out about Mrs Carter's death on Facebook and MySpace.

"I cannot get her laugh out of my head," Brooke Perricone said. "She helped so many people get through problems."

Tributes flooded a Facebook page, "R.I.P Mrs Carter", set up in her honour. Yesterday morning it had more than 450 members.

 

Dead teacher mystery: police search bushland

Georgina Robinson - SMH
July 7, 2010
 

Police investigating the death of central coast high school teacher Amanda Carter are today searching bushland for clues.

Ms Carter, 46, was found dead in the bedroom of her home in Ivory Crescent, Woongarrah, by her youngest daughter on May 16.

Tuggerah Lakes police and the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad formed Strike Force Haldon to investigate her death and have spoken to a number of people but have made no arrests.

Amanda Carter's missing cat Lynx.

Missing ... Amanda Carter's cat, Lynx.

Yesterday, officers started a search of private property behind a cafe, next to a church off the Pacific Highway at Charmhaven, which is a suburb three kilometres north of Woongarrah.

At 9am today, officers began searching a four-acre area of bushland near that Charmhaven location.

Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst, said the search was initiated after police received information from a member of the public.

"We are searching a large area of bushland for any evidence in relation to this homicide investigation," she said.

"We located a number of items during yesterday's search which will be considered for forensic testing but our searching continues today."

Chief Inspector Hurst said police were also appealing for any information in relation to Ms Carter's missing cat.

"Ms Carter and her family had owned the cat Lynx for more than five years and he mysteriously went missing from the home just before Ms Carter's death," Chief Inspector Hurst said.

"We wish to hear from anyone who may have any knowledge of the whereabouts or fate of Lynx as we are exploring the possibility of a link between the disappearance and Ms Carter's death."

The cat is described as about five years old, jet black in colour with a white area on the chest and has a broken tip on the end of the tail.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Teacher's children ask for help to find killer

Georgina Robinson - SMH
July 9, 2010
 

Erin, Shaun and Jamie Carter are desperate for closure.

Their mother, central coast high school teacher Mandy Carter, was found dead in their Woongarrah home almost two months ago but police have not yet found her killer.

The three siblings travelled to Sydney today with a framed photograph of their mother to make an emotional appeal for the public's help.

"Anyone that's got anything, no matter how strange it might seem, just come forward and tell us about it," Erin, 21, said.

"It doesn't matter how obscure something is, the tiniest bit of information could be what they're waiting for to put whoever did this behind bears.

"Obviously that's the end result we're all waiting for, to get some closure for us, to get some closure for everyone that knew mum, everyone that loved mum."

Ms Carter, 46, was a maths teacher at Wyong High School and a football referee.

She was found dead by her youngest daughter Jamie, 18, in the master bedroom of the family's Ivory Crescent home about 10am on May 16.

Since then, police have spoken to a number of people who knew Ms Carter, searched private property behind a cafe as well as four acres of bushland off the Pacific Highway, and most recently made an appeal to find the family's five-year-old black cat, Lynx.

The officer heading Strike Force Haldon, Detective Sergeant Mark Conroy, today conceded the case had been "difficult" but said no one had given up hope.

"Obviously we are hopeful," he said.

"For us, we just want to gather the evidence; we want to put the evidence together and try and give the family some sort of closure."

Police had taken away some unnamed items for forensic analysis as a result of the bushland search but no conclusive results were back yet.

Detective Sergeant Conroy would not go into detail about why police were interested in what happened to the cat, which disappeared some weeks before Ms Carter's death.

"I understand it might sound a little bizarre but the cat did go missing a few weeks prior to the death of Amanda and my understanding, after speaking with the children, [is] the cat's never ever gone missing before that," he said.

"So we want to put to rest one way or another [whether it is] a cat that's walked away or whether it's been met with some other dilemma."

Erin, who has moved in with her boyfriend, said her lasting memory of her mother would be the faith she showed in each of the children.

"It didn't matter what we were doing, you never thought you couldn't do something; she was just always there for us," Erin said.

"I suppose now we've just got to do it for ourselves."

Shaun Carter, 20, who is living with his sister Jamie, said he still struggled to believe his mother was gone.

"None of us thought it would happen," he said.

"I think I still don't believe it fully; it's still a bit unbelievable, the whole circumstance."

Erin said they had taken the photo of their mother a couple of years ago.

"We didn't have too many pictures of each other and mum sort of hit us up one day wanting to take some photos," she said.

"We don't have too many photos of mum. I suppose most people don't worry about taking photos these days and don't really realise how important they are."

Anyone with information about Ms Carter or the weeks and days leading to her death should contact Tuggerah Lakes police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man arrested for sending letters with false accusations about murder of teacher Amanda Carter

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of high school teacher Amanda Carter have arrested a man after letters containing false accusations were sent to media outlets and a high school.

A 60-year-old Bonnells Bay man was arrested at his home at 7.30am by Strike Force Haldon detectives from the Tuggerah Lakes LAC.

He was taken to The Entrance Police Station where he was charged with one count of make false accusation with intent.

He was released on conditional bail and will appear before Wyong Local Court on 22 September 2010.

It is alleged three anonymous letters containing false accusations about Mrs Carter were sent to two newspapers and a high school.

On Sunday, May 16, the body of Mrs Carter was discovered inside her home in Ivory Crescent, Woongarrah, on the NSW Central Coast.

The letters were sent two weeks before her death.

Strike Force Haldon detectives continue to investigate the death of the popular high school teacher and football official.

Mrs Carter’s three children aged 18, 20 and 21 recently made a public appeal for information.

Anyone with information about Mrs Carter’s death is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

 

Ex-lover in court over sex letters

MURDERED maths teacher Amanda Carter's former boyfriend maintained his innocence in court yesterday over allegations he had sent letters accusing her of an affair with a student.

Richard Da Silva, listed on court papers as Ricardo, is charged with making false accusations about the popular Wyong High School teacher and soccer referee.

According to charge sheets tendered in court, police allege Da Silva sent the letters some time between February 15 and May 11 - just days before her daughter found Ms Carter's body in her bedroom of the family's Woongarrah home on May 16.

Police will allege the letters - sent to two local newspapers and the school where she taught - falsely accused the 46-year-old teacher of being under investigation over a long-running affair with an underage student.

Da Silva said nothing yesterday as he sat behind his solicitor during a brief appearance at Wyong Local Court.

Solicitor Ryan Finch said the 60-year-old former real estate agent intended to enter a plea of not guilty.

The court heard the matter had been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Typically such a charge would remain with police prosecutors but - given the on-going murder investigation - it is understood police want the matter dealt with by the highest available authority.

Police have not named any suspects in the murder investigation, which has so far focused on the letters, a missing cat and items recovered from ponds near Ms Carter's home.

Detective Chief Inspector Julie Hurst said the family cat disappeared just before Ms Carter's death.

Police divers recovered "several items" for forensic testing.

Police have refused to reveal how Ms Carter died.

Hearing warning

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday March 29, 2011

By JOANNE McCARTHY

A LAKE Macquarie man charged with making false accusations about a former girlfriend two weeks before she was murdered was given an ultimatum in court yesterday.Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva, 61, of Bonnells Bay, has until July to organise a lawyer, or be prepared to defend himself in court, Wyong Local Court magistrate Glen Walsh said.Mr Walsh told the court he was not satisfied Mr Dasilva had done all he could have done to prepare for yesterday's hearing after Mr Dasilva said he was appealing against a Legal Aid decision on his case.The court was told Legal Aid had not received an appeal."The matter will be heard on the 8th of July. That gives you three months to organise legal representation, and there is no reason why the matter shouldn't proceed on that day," Mr Walsh said.Mr Dasilva has pleaded not guilty to one charge of falsely accusing his former girlfriend, Wyong High School teacher Amanda Carter, of having an affair with a student two weeks before she was found murdered.Police allege Mr Dasilva sent three anonymous letters falsely claiming Ms Carter was having the affair.One of the letters was allegedly sent to the Newcastle Herald, two weeks before Ms Carter was murdered in her Woongarrah home.It was also alleged that another letter was sent to Wyong High School, and the third to another newspaper.Ms Carter's body was found by her youngest daughter in the master bedroom of the family home on May 16 last year.Police continue to investigate her murder but no one has been charged.Mr Dasilva declined to comment outside the court about the case.

 

 

July date for man linked to Amanda Carter murder case

1 Apr 11 @ 07:18am by ALICIA McCUMSTIE - Central Coast Express Advocate

 
 
THE former partner of murdered Wyong High School teacher Amanda Carter will reappear in Wyong Local Court in July.

Ricardo Francis Herman DaSilva, 60, of Bonnells Bay, was charged with one count of making false accusations with intent. He will return to court on July 8, after the matter was set down for hearing earlier this week.

Mr DaSilva was arrested at his home on August 17 by Strike Force Haldon detectives from Tuggerah Lakes police after allegedly sending letters to media outlets containing false accusations about Ms Carter to two newspapers and a high school.

Mrs Carter, a popular school teacher, was found dead in a bedroom of her Woongarrah home on May 16 last year.

Meanwhile, police are yet to release any new information into the investigation surrounding the Ms Carter’s death.

Almost 12 months on the police still haven’t made any arrests, with officers are yet to reveal how the teacher was killed.

Almost two months after her death police appealed for information regarding Ms Carter’s missing cat, Lynx. The cat disappeared a few weeks before Ms Carter’s murder and police at the time said they were trying to determine whether the pet was killed or simply lost.

No new leads 12 months after Amanda Carter murder at Woongarrah

17 May 11 @ 12:07pm - Central Coast Express Advocate

IT is now 12 months since Wyong High School teacher Amanda Carter was murdered in her Woongarrah home and police still haven’t made an arrest.

The popular mathematics teacher and mother of three was found dead in her Ivory Cres home on May 16.

It’s believed the 46-year-old was discovered in her bed by one of her children, however police are yet to reveal how she was killed.

Police set up Strike Force Haldon, consisting of members of Tuggerah Lakes command and state homicide police to investigate the year 11 adviser’s death.

In the weeks following her death, police appealed for witnesses who may have seen Ms Carter referee a soccer game at Pluim Park, Lisarow,the day before her death.

Two months after her death police appealed for assistance trying to find Ms Carter’s missing cat Lynx.

The pet disappeared a few weeks before Ms Carter’s death, with police at the time saying they were trying to determine whether the pet was killed or simply lost.

Just days before the appeal for information on the missing cat, officers searched a private property off the Pacific Highway at Charmhaven and bushland, with items seized for possible forensic testing.

In August the former partner of the murdered teacher, Ricardo Francis Herman DaSilva was arrested and charged with one count of making false accusations with intent.

It is alleged Mr DaSilva sent letters to media outlets, and a high school containing false accusations about Ms Carter.