A NURSE has been investigated after contacting a Facebook gossip page with details about a Lavington murder, with police arguing her actions could have adversely affected their investigations into the stabbing death.
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Albury Wodonga Health nurse Vanessa Paris Tuau contacted Albury-Wodonga Area Crime Whinge & Whine on November 6 last year.
Lloyd Kennedy had been stabbed at her neighbour’s home in Webb Street, Lavington, allegedly by Adam Azzi.
The Gardens Medical Group worker contacted the administrator and said she had received information from someone in the operating theatre.
She said Kennedy had died during the operation and gave information about his identity, age and family, and asked her name be withheld due to her job.
Police said at the time the information was given, a key witness was “providing a critical statement” about the alleged murder, and the witness and victim’s family didn't know he had died.
The information could have seriously impacted the investigation, police said in facts tendered to Albury Local Court, and would be confidential patient information if obtained through her job.
“In the circumstances, the release of such information had the potential to jeopardise the integrity of the investigation and the ability of a key witness to complete a statement that was critical in identifying and prosecuting the person responsible for murdering Kennedy,” police said.
Police spoke to the site’s administrator, Kasey Cox, who immediately rolled and gave information on Tuau and showed the messages.
Officers spoke to Tuau and searched through her messages, which showed the information sent to the Facebook page, but she blamed it on her daughter and friend.
She later admitted that was a lie, which led to her being charged with making a false representation resulting in a police investigation.
According to her daughter, Tuau received the information from a friend, not a hospital staff member or in her role as a nurse.
She was placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond and fined $400 in court.