Could a tragic death have been prevented? A coroner’s chilling findings suggest that red flags were missed in the case of Maryam Hamka’s murder, raising urgent questions about how we assess domestic violence risks. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite a long history of abuse, the system failed to classify her partner, Toby Loughnane, as a high-risk threat—until it was too late.
Maryam Hamka, a 36-year-old woman, was brutally killed by her partner in April 2021 at his Brighton apartment in Melbourne’s southeast. Weeks earlier, police had responded to a terrifying incident where Loughnane chased Hamka with a knife to her mother’s home. Yet, Victoria Police’s Family Violence Investigation Unit labeled the case as only medium risk—a decision that now faces intense scrutiny. And this is the part most people miss: Loughnane had been flagged as a perpetrator of family violence a staggering 21 times, with a history of jail time, breached court orders, and high-risk monitoring for violence against other women.
In her findings, State Coroner Liberty Sanger emphasized that Loughnane’s pattern of abuse should have triggered immediate specialist intervention. ‘This was a high-risk situation,’ she stated, ‘and it demanded more than a checklist.’ While Hamka denied the incident when contacted by police, her sister confirmed the violence, revealing Loughnane had severely beaten her in the past. Yet, the police report overlooked his documented history, stating no prior family violence reports existed.
Loughnane was later convicted of murder and sentenced to 28 years in prison, with 20 years non-parole. But the coroner’s report isn’t just about assigning blame—it’s a call to action. Judge Sanger recommended an independent review of Victoria Police’s risk assessment models, urging the state government to fund an evaluation of their Family Violence Investigation Units. Here’s the bold question: If the system failed Maryam Hamka, how many others are slipping through the cracks?
This case isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a wake-up call. It challenges us to rethink how we prioritize domestic violence cases and whether relying solely on risk assessment tools is enough. As the coroner pointed out, ‘Professional judgment cannot be replaced by algorithms.’ So, what do you think? Is the system broken, or is this an isolated failure? Let’s spark a conversation—because every life lost to domestic violence is one too many.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support is available. Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491). Stay informed and join the discussion—because change starts with awareness.
