Grieving father pushes for inquest

A MELTON South father hopes new evidence will lead to a coronial inquest into the death of his teenage son.

Damien Sheehy’s son Daniel, 18, died in their home on March 14 last year after a fire broke out in Daniel’s bedroom. Mr Sheehy has always believed foul play was involved, despite the fire not being deemed suspicious by state authorities.

Last week, Mr Sheehy said autopsy results recently provided to the family showed Daniel had two marks in his leg. “I believe it’s some kind of puncture mark, like a small bladed knife or just something sharp, but it pierced his bone,” Mr Sheehy said.

“The guy who did the autopsy couldn’t work out what caused it, whether it was done before or after his death, but it had to have happened before because I was with him when he died and he kept saying ‘I can’t get up’.”

Mr Sheehy said on the night of his death, Daniel told him ‘no matter what, do not come into my room’.

“He wasn’t gang-affiliated, but he was friends with two groups of gangs. Both groups hated each other and he was caught in the middle.” 

Coroners Court spokeswoman Sheree Argento said the investigating coroner intended to hold a directions hearing in October.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

THE FIRE:  Probe into deadly fire

THE GRIEF:  Daniel’s father pleas for calm

SAYING GOODBYE:  Friends gather for special tribute